The recess; or, A tale of other times

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1

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A 515503 ^^^

\ 864-

V. 3 •

I

I 3

THE RECESS;

OR,

A TALE OF OTHER TIMES.

THE RECESS ;

Oft,

A TALE OF OTHER TIMES.

BY SOPHIA LEE.

THE PirTH EDITION.

" Are not these woods
f' More free from peril than the envious coart ?
" Here feel we but the penalty of Adam«
" The seasons' difference.**

VOL. HL

LONDON.

PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AVD W. DAVIES,
IS THE STRAKP.

1804.

W: Fk&t, Print«r, Old Bsiley.

-5- • 2.3.. 4"^

THE RECESS, &c.

^ . 1

<^ • • '

j I , ' . . • ■

"^ A^HEN the isfick languor df ilie faititiiiga
gave i>laGe to reflection I found myself in
my own bed ; whither I understood I had

1 been conveyed by the orders of Lord Ar-

lington^.as soon as my'N\'Ound was staunched :
his proved so'slight that it left him no pre-
tence for japprehtjnsion. Eagerly I enquired

I for Lady Pembroke, when to my inexpres-r

sible riage and astonishment I was informed,

^ that she had been turned from my door^

I TOL. III. «

^ THE RECESS, &C.

whither friendship had led her to venture a
repulse. The immaculate character of that
admirable woman I thought even Lord Ar-
lington would have respected; but wiihout
deigning to inform himself of the real circum-
stances of the unforeseen interview he had
so dreadfully interrupted, he by this rude
implication treated two of the- most esti-
mable and distinguished persons in theking-
iJom as abettors, if not contrivers of his .
dishonour. — ^The little blood left in my veins
turned to gall at tbe-ideav I watched an
opportunity to tear away the bandages ; and
' disdainfully resigning myself to a premature
f^e, endeavoured to forget the generous^
hearts this rash action would pierce. — ^The
awful God, whose justice I thus questioned,
still extended to me his mercy-^-my dan-
gerous situation was discovered in time by
my careful attendants, who, infinitely more
attached to me than to their Lqrd, used
everyijieans to prolong ihe life be, perhaps,
wished at its period.

In the cruel state of mind which dictated
this desperate xesolution it proved a melao?*

tttE RtCESS, &e. 8

tholy *ad vantage; as the iojury now* fell on ,
my constitution only, and my intellect*
escaped. It/ was many month* ere I had ' *
Btrength enough to cross a room, or spiriti
to ventuire a que»tion~-darihg this memo-
rable interval I called' together every en-
feebled power, and placing my conscience *
as umpire between myself and Lord Ar*
lington, fixied and ascertained the rights of
either, ConVicted even by my own heart
of imprudence, I wondered not that he con-
strued error into guilt; and while thus cool,
offered him every vindication of my inno-
cence he could reasonably desire : but Lord
Arlington wis the slave of passion and
caprice, and not having firmness of soul to
fomi or fix a judgment, he followed through
years with invincible obstinacy the impres-
«ion of the first moment. — From this period
he ever treated me as an artful woman,
whose licentious conduct had obliged him
to risqtie his life in vain defence of that
faononT already sullied, and lost in my per-
son i nor did he affect to assert his legal
rights from any other reason than to sepa-
B 2

4 THE RECESS, &C. -

rale me from Essex, lliis conduct^ and
the misrepresentations of Lady Essex^ blazed
the fatal incident throughout the Courts and
fixed a stain on my character time could
never erase — ^liappily that stain reached not
iny person or my heart, and an injustice so
aggravating on the part of Lord Arlingtpn .
entitled me to forgive the little error in my-
self which occasioned it.

In this conjuncture I once more turned
my tearful eyes every way around in.search
of a protector to interfere between me and
a fate alike unmerited _ and severe. — ^Alas!
there was not a numan being virtue allowed
me to call to my aid ; and I exercised the fa-w
culties heaven had so unexpectedly blessed
me with, by resolving to suffer with patience.

Elizabeth Vernon (our old companion),
tl>e fair and gentle cousin of Lord Essex,
resolved if possible to see me— she addressed
Lord Arlington, and demanded that privi-
lege; the favour she held with the Queen
prevented his denying a request he granted
with the utmost reluctance. That sweet
girl bathed me in the tears of innocence

THE RECESS, 8ct. 5

and affection-^she told me, " that the fear
lest his presence should, idcense Lord Ar-
liDgton to further brutality had induced
Essex^ whea I lost iny senses, to withdraw -
from a scene which rent his very heart—
and the same reason still obliged hiin to re-
, main at a distance. — ^That during the long ^
and dire uncertainty attending my illness
he bad scarcely, breathed — ^his own soul
colitinually told him how ptjre mine was.
Fancy presented me to him for ever, pale,
speechless^, expiring; ray sad eyes rivetted
on his with a tenderness death itself could
not extinguish : however guiltless of my
blood, every drop which oozed from my
veins seemed to congeal on his heart; in
fine, that almost deified by my sufferings,
and his sense of them, I reigned alone in
bis affections, which were from this mo«
ment consecrated to me by a most con-
vincing proof. Having used the utmost
art and diligence to discover how Lord Ar-
lington so soon became apprised of his secret ,
return to England, and a meeting so ufi- '
planned and sudden as to interrupt it almost
B 3

;6 TH£ RZCLSS^ &C.

immediately; thoiigb supposed to be as fa^
oiF as Greenwicbr Lord Essex learnt that
his Master of the Horse, beiqg among the
domestics be brought with himtoPemb^ol^e
Hoi4se> had quitted it as soon as he alighted,
and hastened to Greenwich in search of .a
girl attending on Lady Essex^ of whom he
was enamoured.;; through whose means her
Lady became likewise immediately ac-
quainted with his secret arrival without
.knowing its motive. That suspicious .woman
had already rema'vked that l^prd Arlingtio^
was^among the bridal train^ and in his h^af-
ing published the return of ber.liord, with
all her own injurious surmiaes.r— lU for-
tune for once had given them the colour
of truthj and. Lord ^Arlington needed no
more than the hint.to nrtike him,nipunt the
siwiftest hor^e, and fly to satisfy hipaself.—
L^dy Es^ex was quickly infpnped of an ja-
cident ,she ought to have foreseen, and
giving way to another extravagance, pas-
sionately conjured every friend, ^he met to
follow, and prevent the conflict ,to..which
-her Lord now stood exposcd'^but whea

could friendship keep pace "with lov6 am]
veogeanceP The straggling medmtors ^tr-
rty^only time eoottgh to witness >tbee\rer't
no human piMver could guard agahisrt. In-
censed beyoad air haimd» at the conduct of
his Lady^ the rash Essex toek the.only step
Tvantiag to^my ruin. Determined to make
•her -share the -misery she had occasioned,
be parked with her at once aod for ever — in
yain were all her suhsequei^t vows of sor-
row «aiul repentance— *4n vain had she from
•that mcHnent. indulged hopes of hiscoormjv
^nDdopiicili4t»ng*^hts temper^ till this fat;'}
|tmod^ no less yielding than fiery, now
3S8Bii^ a cold and pfailofn^phtc sternness*;
>n(fine> that the grief and disappointment
*to.wfaieh Lady Essex resigned h«rself would
4RTerely punish her unjust suspicions, and
icre long release her Lord from the ill-jadged
bondagfe he bed hitherto groaned so impa«>
tiently under."

The*f«ir Elizabeth thus ended her recital,

^hich was so clear, concise, and affecting,

th^t I could not avoid taxing her with being

the emissary of her.cod^sin; her blushes

B 4

8 THE RJECZSS, '&C.

acquitted her^ ^and bespoke a secret time
soon explained. She was secretly beloved
by the gallant Southampton^ that heroic
friend^ who was only less attached tq Essex
than myself/ and from him had learnt the
various particulars public report could ndt
. apprise her of.-^—I held myself infinitely in-
debted to her friendship, and through her
means sent that farewell to Lady Peiahrote
I was not allowed to pronoiince^ .

'It had been hut too obvious throisgh hear
whole recital, that I was totally the victim
,of calumny, nor copld any human powfif
now justify me, — I had been found in: the
arms of Essex — the fact was. indubitablej
the true cavise of. that fatal impulse not
likely to be credited, even when repeated.
My youth, my wound, and my past con-
duct, blended Uie rash Judgment of the
many with compassioft, buttbe most hberaJh
minded ventured not to acquit me.. Tliose
impassioned vindications the conscious soul
of Essex offered were always .considered. as
a mere point of honour in him, and. np less
necessary to his own justification thanmia^^

THE RECESS, &C. 9

they therefore only served to stamp guilt on
both. — Ob, misjudging world, how severely
on the most saperftcial observation dost thou
venture to decide f — Lei the barbed arro\<r
of misfoitune rest in the bosom it ha&
wounded, nor, by inhumanly tearing it out
to discover whence it came, rack the heart
already broken ,

Defamed, dejected, and forgotten by all
but the generous sisters of the Sydney fa-
mily, I followed, once more, my fate in
Lord Arlington; and reached again that
Abbey destined alike to entomb me in play-
ful childhood and in blasted youth — ^the
same imperious' will which had destroyed
me had deprived the venerable mansion of
its sweety its solitary charms^the hallowed
spot where oirce the ivied trophies of time
bound up the defaced ones of religion*>
presented nothing now but a bare and
barren level ; and the lofty woods, which
^o long protected alike the living and
the dead, had wholly given place to infant
plantations, through the thinness of which
&» weary eye every where pierced : 1 turned

10 TIf E' .|i;e;c£S5, &c.

with disgust from the desolated scene^ and
locking myself up in the remotest and inost
gloomy chambers of the Abbey, spent mj.
life in meditating on my every Ipss.

Lord ArHngton now valuing me only ai
,the appendage of his pride, consoled hini-
«elf for my undissembled aversion, and cared
not what employed me, provided I was yet'
ihis legal prisoner.— Alas, I had no longer
jesolution to rest my hopes on .^ny object-^
to form any subordinate design, or to re£y;>
any subordinate plea.sure. The poor chil-
dren still supported by my bounty jqo more
touched the lute in niy presence — that over
which my own Angers once wandered wjfy,
the wild elegance of untried youth, now
. useless and unstrung, hung up, an emblen^
pf the discordant soul of its oipmer. Ta^te^
jgenius, and science, those rich columni^
with which enthusiastic fancy erects in
peaceful minds a thousand light aerial struc*
tures, deep sunjc, and broken in my hearty
presented to the mental eye a rqiii more terr
riblethaa the n(»blest speculation ever paused
jover. — Misanthropy, black-visaged misajft-

THE ,R^CES8, &C. 1 1

tliropy, reigned thfere like a soHiary savage,
uucoirscibus of the value of those treasures
his rude' band every day more and more
defiiced: ^ .

? I was romed -one night with the infor-
mation that a favourite servant of Lord Ar*
lington-S;^ who had long languished in a.
consumption^ now fomid himself at the
point of death, and importunately xJe-
manded to speak with me — but ill-dis-
posed at this season even to tbtfc geutte
offices of humanity, and convinced that he
could hav^ nothing to impart I should
thtnk 'of c6n{?equenee, 1' rejected the re-
quest;, but '^nAing his Lord wds inebri-
flrtted beyond the p<awer of comprehend-
ing aught, on being again solicited, 1 rose;
and' accompanied by a', maid ' #fcd^ loved
me, ^ntened the «ick man's chamber.*— ^i
I'^caet'a'bar^h and cold glance round, and
baidty* Heard the than^ks he -gave me —
having dismissed all the servants, except
the vmid »I 'inienttoned, I prepared to listen
tOi'i^V4iirtigiiiiBg some matter relative to
Ikifi office of daief bailiff -Md surveyor;
B 6

IS THE RECESS, &C.

alone^ could thus distmrb bis last hours.-—
'^ Lady/* said he, in the hoHow broken
voice of approaching dissolution, '* I could
not have departed in peace had yoa ho*
bestowed, this ipdulgenee-t-pord^n me, I
beseech you, for propo^ng to irty Lord^ the
destruction of those ruins that I have since
seen too plainly your heart was. ever wn^t
in — alas;, the proposal: costs me ny; life;
-i^Condescend too to- listen Uy a secret
which continually drags back my soul
when striving to quit, her dungeon — my
crime perhaps brings with it a sufficient
punishment.--^— 1(1 removing the .rubbish
of the artificial hermit's«celi> in compliance
with the directions of my Lord, I onte day
saw a. common labourer turn up something
which V^ his whole strerigth, when. casting
a quick and fearful glance urOuiid^ becon
vered it with earth. I dispatched the rneii
in hearing to another part, and seizing, the
arm of him I had watched, I insisted pu see-
ing what he had endeavoured to.cOnceab-*
it proved to be a small iron 'chest, s^wo^ly
fastened— 1 agreed with him to conuey it

i

THE BECESSi &C. 13

awny till the evenings when be might rejoia
va^y and we wobM open it and divide the
con tents together. He yielded rather to ne-
cessity than choice^ and I took the casket
with apurj^se God has severely punished —
the many keys intrusted to my care sup*
plied one which imoiediately opened it;
vinder a nuinher of papers and trifles of
H0 value^ I found a large sum ia^ goldy
and a few jewels— a& I knew my part-
ner in the discovery had remarked thai
the chest was heavy; in the room of the
gold and jewels, I' substi<?uted an- iron
criiciftx and m'any rusty keys; then Iqck-
iaag the casket^ Tfaited anxiously for the
evening. The poor labourer seeing me
returneifc wistfully examined my features*
but not daring to express the doubt visible
iwhis own, expect<>d in silence tiie decide
iog - hout*. 1 1 stiffer^d'birai* to take hrfnite
pains to break ope^o a chest that I was con-
sciou& would not 'repay the laboiir^-^reat
was the poor wretch's disappointrarent when*
be emptied it— ^I affected* the same chagrin ;
But- turning over the papers, I offered to^
gire him '^wenty nobles; aaurej)r6of>hadhe

34 THE RECESS^ !fcC.

lefiected a aingle moment^ thatrxnust.bft¥e
\vroiiged bim : he readily accepted tiil^ pr<H
pa9al^ ^^nd^ M my ideate, promised oeyer to
m^iHioQ the incidejit; then ^t^diiuch ap*
patent gratitude, depauted. Eagerly I re-
placed my guilty gains, and secretly reaoiv-^
ed tp.tak^.an^arly opport«ni.ty.*of quitting
XXky Lqrd to commence bnilder in London,^
but fear did not sjaflTer Ime .for a, time t«r
venture this measure ; ^a^l I have Tiganted
health since to do any thing — from tbw
moment, peace, appetite, and re$t, have
fled me—af worn out with, watching, I
dropt into a slumber, ihe idea that ixiy
treasure was stolen has made me often
start up, and regardless of the cold sweat
produced by the mere apprehension, I bave
flown in the dead of the night to comvinoe.
myself it was safe — imaginary -whispcss:
have ever bet^nnear my bed, and uncertaia
forms have glided Jbrpugb my chjamberr—
the dawn of day never gave me iwiief,
every eye aeemed to dive into my secret,
and every hand to be intent on, impover*.
iahing me — in a^ word, Lady> to : jbhis »d/
isiomefit it has 'ptematuuely Jbrwgbit.me;

THE REC&SSy Sec. 16

far many months dppbtful whether -I ^haulfl
imrjvive, I have been consi<Jering hpwto.hef
stow th^t wealth I could no longer hope to
enjoy — ^the poor man I so basely defrauded
ot it perished a short time after by the fall
of a pillar, and restitution to him can never
be made. It came into my head thiseven-*
ing, that you were said to have be<en brought
upjn these ruins; certainly I had often seen
you walk and .weep on the very ipot whese
this chest was found; perhaps therefore in
giving it to you I only restore.it to the
right pwfter; accept it. Madam, and pro-
mise that you will never discover the ^ift to
my Lord."— This request appeared a
needless injunction, if the treasure had
not been obtained by defrauding Lord
Arlington ; and though perhaps I should
have been silent through choice, I thoiight
it beneath ,me to cngf^e to be so:— -find-
ing me pause, he continued, ^^ fear not
?iny ill design in this request, Madamj
you will one day . be glad you complied
with it, and ^for your own sake ariose is it
proposed ; the hand of my Lord is grudg-
ing-?— your's bounteoM^ as that of heaven. r-r

16 THE RECiSS, &C.

Do not rob yourself of the means to be
liberal which n^w are offered to you — ^yet
on no other condition than the vow of
silence will I give the treasure up." A
strange desire to examine the papers more
than, any I felt for themoney^ made ine at
last acquiesce. My maid^ by his direction-,
drew the iron chest from an obscure corner,
and emptied it of both gold,- jewels, and
papers, which she and I divided, and with
some difficulty concealed till we reached my
apartment— he seemed only to have lived t©
make this discovery, and a few hours after
expiated his sin with his life.

-While be strove to impress my mind
"with the necessity of concealing the ad-
venture, I pondfered deeply over it; not
easily d-isceraing. how I should interpret
this strange ordination of Providence;
it at last occurred to me that the treasure
might be put into my hands* for the aissist-
ance and comfort of my sister: — ^how did |
know whether she was not even then hasten-
ing towards me, perhaps impoverished, cer-
'tainly- distressed? — ^Oh, h9w consolatory
Bfaoiold I find it to minister to hev external

THE RECESS, &C. 17

wants, though those of her heart might be
beyond my power'of comforting ! The con-
tempt 1 felt for Lord Arlington was rooted
too deep to admit of my thus applying his
^fortuqCj had I been the unlimited mii&tress >
of it ; I therefore saw a degree of wisdom
and propriety in receiving and secreting a
gift, heaven seemed so strangely to put
into my hands, as if it were to forerun some
yet unknown incident.

The papers consisted chiefly of the cor-
respondence between Mrs. Marlow and Fa-
ther Anthony, while yet they were lovers,
as well as after the cruel discovery whidi
annulled the nominal union— I perusetl these
invaluable epistles with pulsations of ten-
derness I lately thought myself incapable
of : they recalled me to life and sensibility,
and I gathered fortitude from those who
now were dust ; I raised my eyes to heaven
in search of their pure translated souls*
and wandering from planet to planet^ fan-
cied there must be one pecuUady allotted to
lovers now no longer unhappy — ^A tlioo-
sand trifles whose value must ever be ideal
and local, were preservied .with these let-

18 iPHE RECXaS^ &C.

terft: — cyphers, hm, «oiinet8^ dear pcf-

-petuators' of those bright hours of youth

jwe look4>aok on with pleasure to the latest

moment of decaying life. I kissed the in^

noeeni reliqiies of su.chan^<uhhappy attaeh-*
.naeat with/deyont regard;, and 'h^d them .
. not the least part ^i ^my legacy.

Time , dissipated /tke ^flattering illusion
-which led ine to ex pee t my sisfcer — my
.mind sunk into its usual inerlitude, and the

acquisition remaia^j if not forgetteUj at
-least neglected.

From this profoun/i stupor I was at last
• roused ^^s by an earthquake— *Lord Ariing-

ton in hunting -fell from his horse, and
'breaking some 'blood-vessel, wAs brought
ihometoappearatoeeljfeless— censtience antt
t humanity called upon me to forget my
r wrongs ; aad I made every effort to save

him z for a time he appeared to mend \ but
» the incurable habit of inebriety he even at
-this period indulged, defeated both care

and medicine : and 'after enduring a series

of sufferings'which annihilated my sense of

injury, he expired in the prinie of his days.
Good heaven ! v^hat a transition did one

THE Ri^CESS, &G. J9

Single event msiike in my life ! habitviated
•to slavery — accusjipp^d to suppose 'Lpfd
Arlington destiiied to survive me^ I beheld
this incredible j*evolution with mute &ux-
prise--tl?e liprror of his suflfepogs gave wayf
when they 6e^93^# tot.^he .;§we'^t idea of li-
berty— liberty ^sjghed o«t njy weary heart!
to what purpose have I n<?w acquired it ? I
beheld myjself iji the situation of a ^rimi-
.ual^ ^vbose^shackl^s a|:e ..struuk . ^flf oi>)y jio
Jfuinch hm into ^tbe immeQse oe^u inra
little boat without .a rudder^ ^^rsji ^r s^ste-*
. ^mserr-wheFecCo^oAd . I fipd ^a Mppe 40 ^^re^t
^mF^aloxie^ in the vast jj^nl^Fers^^ I turned
jaround in vaip in search of ime .generics
hand^ jif hose aid I :i9ig})t: receive ,wi^/>]ut
fear or. shame.

Tbe relation of Lord Arlington who suc-
ceeded, to his title and estate>.wais an illite-
rate rude^a officer^ >vham his illness alone
had detained in .England. He . came, on the
news of his decease; escorting the lajte
Lord's two sisters^ to whom the personals
"were all devised. I. had waited only the
, reading of the will to. quit the melancholy
mansion I meant to abjure fof ti%e future !-^

so THE RECESS, &C.

Gracious heaven ! how deep was my iadig-
nation and rage to 'find myself mentioned
in it as an insane wretch, to whom the tes-
tator bequeathed a mere maintenance, and
left to be confined under the charge of hi»
sisters in St. Vincent V Abbey, which, as 'a
purchase of his own, descended to them !
Never, in all the -trials I had hitherto ex-
perienced, had I felt a transport like that
this usage excited — to ex tend his tyranny be*
yond the grave !— Mean, execrable wretch !

' even at die moment that I was exhausting
the little eonstitution his cruelty had left
me in unwearied attendance, deliberate^
to condemn me to an imprisonment to

- shocking, and render it perpetual ! — ^human
nature could not rei^ist so pungent a pang-
it made the misery it punished ; and I sunk
into the dreary gulph once more from
which 1 was lately emerging — ^my brain still
fires but to remejfnber it. — Oh, my sister !
whatever the inflictions of your mysterious
fate, those of mine may surely dispute the
woeful pre-eminence.

The overjoyed Essex dispatched an ex-
press, as soon as the news of Lord Arlb§-

T^E RECESS, 8CC. SI-

tou's death reached tbe Courts coojuriog me
to quit the melancholy prison I had so long
inhabited, and retire to a seat of Lord
Southampton, in Hei;efofdshire ; whither
that i^obleman's bride would inunediately
repair to meet and comfort me. Lady
Southampton was the fair cous^in of Lord
Essex I formerly mentioned, who by *mar-
rying privately had wholly lost, the favour
of the Queen. The declining state of Lady
Essex's health, be . added, daily promised
him that freedom, made, doubly desirable
now I had recovered mine. It had always,
he assured me, been the intention of Lady
Southampton Xo follow her Lord to Ire-
land ; and he besought me to give, him the
sweet satisfaction of knowing that I was
safe in the company and protection of his
cousin, solemnly prouiising not to obtrude
hinaself on me ere the laws of society au-
thorized the avowal of those sentiments
which had so long lived in his heart. "

The relations of Iiord Arlington, pos-
sessing by his will an absolute power, inter-
cepted and opened this Letter— far from
pouring the balm it contained into- my

2i THE RECESS, &di

bleeding heart, they kept the dear testimony
of an unequalled attachment; and sent
back the messenger with the melancholy
news of my insanity and confinement: but
Lord Essex had been already duped, and
could not easily credit this information*
He deputed Henry Tracey, a yottng officer,
muth in his confidence, to ascertain my
real »tuation, commanding him not to be
dismiftsed by any other mode of conviction
than that of beni]^ admitted into my pre-
senciB.— Alas ! ere this was resolved on, te>
sedtment had agarh' fired my bewildered
brain^ and Lord Arlington had little to ap«
prehend in allowing Tracey to enter my
apartment. Buried in a profound stupor, I
replied not to bis questions, but drawing
my mtoming veil over my eyes, sat like a
self-devoted Persian, the voluntary victim
of despair. The faithAil Tracey, still fear-
ful of being imposed on, insisted on havmg
my picture as well as a lock of my hair,
to prove to his Lord that it was indeed my*
self he had beheld in this deplorable state ;
anil having obtained this request, he • de-
parted*

S

THE RECESS, &C. 25

But what became of Essex when Tracey
returned with this melancholy coafirma-
tioQ?— ^the testimonials his confidant had
brought only added to force the eternal
passion of his soul ; a thousand times he
made Tracey describe the apartment — my
dress — my looks — and sonaetimes fancying
even that cautious friend bad been de-
ceived ; at others,^ that the wretches in
whose 'power I wiEus left, had, for the short
period Tracey was permitted to behold me,
.stupified niy senses ; he created a thousand
delusions to counteract the fe^ful impres-
sion of the truth.

Distracted with these ideas. Lord Essex
set out for Ireland, invested with absolute
powers, and heading, an army attached to
him alike by gratitude and expectation —
he had not marched far ere he formed the
bold resolution of conlmitting; the conduct
of the troops to Lord Southampton, and
turning off he hastened to St. Vincent's Ab-
bey, determined to ju^gejfron^ his own
senses of the sts^te oif. mine: he amved
there at midnight, and requiring the un-
willing owners^^ tp prod^cQ me^ in a tonis

24 THE RECESS, &C. *

which admitted neither denial or delay^
tltey conducted him to my chamber — ^a dim
lamp alone glimmered in it^ and closing
my eyes as the stronger lights approached,
I waved my hand in stupid silence to have
them removed. The transports of grief
and surprise which overcame the generous
Essex at this terrible conviction, threatened
his own intellects— by some wonderful or-
dination of Providence, my cold and ap-
parently uninformed heart waked at that
well-known voice— day broke once' more ^ '
upon my sowl, and my eyes once more
opened to behold their darling object. This
surprising effect of his presence would have
persuaded him that reason had never de-
serted me, but that my poor maids expressed ;
a joy at this unexpected revolution too un-
feigned to be misconstrued ; they entreated
hftn to leave me tiii^e to strengthen my
faculties ere he again absorbed them, and
he confined to stifled exclamations, and
f ilent homage, all the passion and projects
with which his bosom swelled.

Alithea, who had for yeats been my fa-
vourite attendant^ informed him (as soon

THE RECESS, &C. S5

as he could be persuaded to withdraw^ and
leave' me to repose) of the cruel and' unjust
will, which by rendering me a prisoner for
life, had occasioned this dreadful relapse.
Negligent at all times of prudence, and
now perhaps of propriety, he boldly told
the Arlington family, that he wonld perish
ere I should again be left in their power .
and having planted some of his mosi< faith-
ful domestics to guard my chamber door
from every one but my own maids, he- re-
tired to the apartment allotted him, to me-
ditate on the. mode of proceeding . least
likely to endanger my newly recovered in-
tellects.

Alithea very priidently had me bled, 'ami
I sunk into a sweet and sound sleepy the
comfort I had long most wanted." I waked
late the next morning with intellects entirely
clear, though weak ; I remembered I had
seen, or fancied I had seen Essex ; Alithea
imparted to me the truth, and shed tears of
joy to find I answered her rationallyr^I
yielded to her intreaties in delaying till the
afternoon a meeting so dear and affectinf ^

VOL. III. c

S5 l^JDE ^ECB46, &€.

atid took the medicinal ^eordials and otiw
nonrisbment she -dSeted me .; «i few kojars
^rengthened me-surpriciiigly^ and I was at
4ast aHdwed to receive the .generous lover
-my sonl so moch desired. Whtle*he poured
fof th ihe most ardent vow^ of niironittin^
•:afie^on^ and surveyed^ ta tender sorrow^
the ravages grief and disappointment had
^thus early made inmyiPtan countenance^
land omacwted form^ I beheld widi^iiurprise
>.ihe iid»uitfl^es be bad aoqiured in both. in«-
atances; bis gracefal flower of youth was
^aetlled into firmer -manhood ; his .fair and
' florid complexioii> sunned over by his mi-
litary exploits^ had gained strength with-
>oat losing delicacy^ and his eye^ now no
less accustomed to command than charm^ '
seemed t6 employ its first power cm all the
rest of the worlds while its last was solely
tveserved for me. Ah man^ happy man!
bow, Superior are you in the indulgence of
liatBfe ! blest with scientific resources^ with
iboMiiess, and an activity unknown to mor^
persecuted woman ; from your various di$-
iqppoimmeats in life ever apr-ing fefthsome

THE UrEC^E^t JSU^ &7

y^orpiis ^and )bl9€)^ng hope^ ii^sensiblf
>t^&ching those. .i^Qi^n^s in the bQait
Ijhjfqugh.wbiah the.vijal ^ow^i^ of the feebly
jae^ : bk^ hejpl^s»l V away;iftp<i when rt^
.kming fortwe ;gra|ita ypurwij^hej, tvitb
.MWigfii^ pojwe^s.of enjoyment you em-
.biraoe ike |teer-rboygbtil^ftppii)ess; scarce
^naqiq^s qf ibe (|old dewrdrops ypur cheeks
^inibib^ ftpm tixose of ber> permitted t<^
ttetlQ le^p^idpfM^e .ypur destiny.

. Jtvwas 30»ie 4a^$ ere I dared trtut my^tf
IP con^vjersejpog.witb fissex^ who employedl
.that sweet interval in amu^iQg my mind
Mikh ligjitdr topics, jejrbUebe.^rmged his^
fuUice plans ; but .finding I Miil appeared
calxn^ heiventofed at.kstto unfold to me
the mighty designs .srhieh .floated in his
Pagination. 'Mnexocfibly ppposiog choice
^tOifate^ jny daarestJBUinor/' aaid he, '^^ ne^
.veiifrpm.ibe.oipment in .which I fii:8t be^
held you, have I formed a project distint:^
fi»m yoauelff ftbis I\am.aboul to unfold
b«s,teen,for iry«ai:s^ tte child pf,my dotagerr-
collect jo]itiipirits, listen jwitbput wondec^
,and, if posailJe, japp«ftife,it:.freni the mo-
c«

is THE UECESS, &C.

nient I knew the base arts that must have
been made use of to separate us, I clearly
comprehended that we should never unite
with the consent of Elizabeth ; but, how-
ever indebted to her partial distinction^
this was a point in which even she could not
controul me ; it is not the posts or advan-
tages I derive from her favour, on which
my soul valu^es itself; elevated on a mor«
solid foundatit^n, it has taken every road to
glory, arid I may proudly say, given a
grace to dotage : yet as that dotage, how-
ever unbecoming her years and her rank,
has been uniform • and generous, I have
sworn to yield Elizabeth, to the latest mo-
ment of her life, every homage but that of
the heart ; and Sacrifice to my fealty all
except my happiness. It is hard to recon-
cile duties and inclinations so entirely op-
posite, yet I think you will, own I have
done so.

To a blind partiality for»me, and her own
egregious self-love, the Queen ignobly sa-
<jrificed your youth, your hopes, your hap-
piness ; but alas, she forgot in so doingj

THE RECtSS, &C* 20

that she would only make them more per-
fectly mine— without the least coiiJ^idefa-
tion for the husband she had given you a
wretch I could at any time look into in-
I significance, I studied solely how to ^xtri?
cate you from a bondage not more insup^
portaUe to you than myself. Among a
thousand other projects I resolved to ap-
prize the king of Scots of your existea.Qe
and situation;, soliciting from his fraterna^
regard a safe asylum^ and that peace and
protection my youth and circumstances
would not allow me to offer you. I found
means to convey to his knowledge
your whole melajocholy story — but how
shall I declare to you his ungenerous con-
duct ? Fool that I was, to. hope the man
who could tamely submit to the murder of
bis mother, would be interested by any
other tye ! Far from exerting himself to
rescue the dear unhappy sister I conjure4
him to compassionate, he affected to dis-
believe the story of his mother's marriage
with the Duke of Norfolk ; though the
Countess of Shrewsbury solemnly assured
c3

so THE RECrsr, &C.

Be thatf l» bflid> tterdugh bef hmis, re^
eeived from tbfe Royal Marjrthfe lAost ati-*
tfientic proiofstof it;^ afs 96(m an beescatjed
from thfe f<!f^ero( the Regent, mi wvts aK
kwed tb tsktot a^ 9^ ioiepm&€ni' SoTereigfi:
AB]rioui'Witb<>ut d<nibt'ti> centre id bhui^f
•verjr right ofilm^aani^^r^ hte TblinKiarnjr
yenoanoed all iegsJf^fof eithi^i^l^i^ arsHes^ot
ker oirs{^liig> ig«<»itf)iii«Hi^ 6ttbbliitii% tt^
Iriga; the bMid* wfaieh bad sbtdrt^Heil ber
days;*— ^Wtmt^ rfftw titi» iif t^ btJ hepeA
Aom^ tbe iStig of^ Seot^f ' aiid^ yAiy^^cfM
/fO» salbrifiMtoi b- \SiiA>\^m, by vrt^m- yoil
^e di^Oi«^ed> tfaosi^ bri^ pr09{^«K;ts^wble(t
now dmm before yo»^ BSfa 6l^ file flMt
Saglidb B«i6«j siiid^ tll^ Pfitidi»$Gi iMHiediat^
in su'ti?€srfo«h ta ihe Tbroae— a* native of
Ain kiiigdiM^'; ttt^e^ is ai^ycftie thitig
Wttitii% €& tfstiibiislr righ^ froisi wtfeHee
ybti- muy^jMAp fenxf^ «be bjghesrt' bopes^
m«h«4i^ t^^afottittk of* ^^esie ftaietd'; Mi
llhat i^^b' 0(111 eit4^t> i lime eertmn iirf^^
^atioH^t i» tf u^ Cwey anft disposed- so!dy
a^ong the Cathnlio r-elations awd friendaof
•Mary, yet d^ I aol d<»spair of obtalaiog

T,H£ »EC:^»S| ^Cf * SI

theoi^ — -^TJie English, ever dbpo^lo be
jealous of their national right»i dread the
remotes^ chance of tli^ir fii8|iibiUktioQ> and'
^Ifeady turn, their eyttsQ t^wardi^ the family.
o£StUfo}k in ]^eferenoe to^ receiving a fo*
seign monarcb.-r-Thut unfaaf py faaii)y> byji
tttrns the mortyiv of fear- awMl policjn^ haAi
bled ibroughi ftmsceeding, geusmfion^ tilh
reduced wholly to femalee ;> among wJKxpi
there is not one endoed with oonrage or
tkilents-to venture a conte8t> bad they evetiH
the priority oft faurtb wbtoh pes^ with yon»
Let us then adopt the views* of Lord Lei-
oeaker^ who oerthinly itiean^ by the moet^
walcblul pplicy, to pave the way for yonr
sbler's mocemony. wheaeter ESizabetb
should expire. Yonn fat^ id bound/up:, with*
that, of^ a* mail much- mere capsdde o^ ef«
fecting whatever- vi€fr»' he sb^l adopt. Eli-
zabeih dai)y> tOtter«M a» the- v«rge of tba^
gnuiro**Kiisposed'to bate tfa^f rinoe she- baa*
irretk'iev&bly injiM^ed^n^ the person of hj^
mother^ she still refffse» to acknowledge
the ffing of Soots for her heir; aiid ha«
ftilly invested me witfc every power thM
c 4'

32. THE RECESS, &C.

may enable me to profit by the popularily I
have honourably acquired- My own birth^
though it doe& not gire^me a lineal claim to
the Crotvn of £Dgland> is yet noble in
many generations^ and , princely in some.
Circumstances and merit thus entitle me tu
match with you-^nor need you doubt the
success of this project. Born as you are
for empire, endued with beauty to adorn,
and majesty to dignify it — with incontest-
able evidence of your birth (which I will
employ every art to procure).! will boldly
pre&ent to the people of England another
blooming Queen- — ^they will with joy adopt
you ; nor can the feeble attempts of the
boyish Scotch pedant against an army won
by my munificence, . endeared to my com-
mand, and relying oa my valour, sSkci a
claim so strongly supported. How many
instances does our own history supply where
courage, and popularity have dethroned
monarchs in full possession pf every other
advantage! — You now. are informed of
what has long been the ultimate object of
ipyVfe; every action and view has had a
secret reference to it, and far from idling

THE RECESS, &C. S3

away my youth in the various pleasures the
gay court of Elizabeth offered to her fa-
vourite, I have continually* ranged the
seas, watched in camps, disciplined armies,
and by every possible means studied to in-
crease my military fame, knowledge, and
popularity, as what must one day decide
more than my own fate. It is this that has
made me eager to conduct the Irish war, —
In that country I shall be at the head of an
army, which will easily enable me to. profit
by the death of the Queen, without alarm-
ing her declinihg years with the appearance
of cabal, mystery, or rebellion. Boldly
resolve then, my love, to accompany me to
Ireland, as the only place on earth where
you can be entirely safe; I will lodge you
in some impregnable fortress with Lady
Soutliampton ; 1 will remain in the canip
?Lnd never approach it but by yeur per-
mission. I demand this instance of your
confidence, of your love ; and swear in re-
turn inviolable honour and obedience — Oh !
answer me not rashly, sweet EUinor — rather
recall the fatal moment of obstinate pru-
c 5

34 Tftfi hECt^if ft A

dence wiiich oncfr bfefore brought oft berth
so tectiou^ a ^iod o( suffering, and remem*
het you again have tli^e? power of ckci^g
fliy ftite and yotfr own.

Bftsex' i-OHe fhnfii; tey feet^ a&d'I^ me
buried m the 'deepest re0ec lion; iHy mti^^
however, iustarttaneonsl^ adapted the aspfK
ing project he had pi'W'feiited to it. ThfrougH
the dark and heavy cloud* whkh had-teng
Mting over iny soul the sun of love «dw^
f^erced at on^e, atid turned it' all «o' siin&ieftt^
g»ld.—- To motfnt a thmne; to sham it'wilhf
the choice of my heart; to give U> him th^t
*vereigDty I sltoirld Owe to his vulour;-*!
tiras astoi^hed that the idea eouTd so loa^
have eij,caped itie': yet sueh a^ram of mis*
ftfrtunes had suceecded my bkth as- might
well oblK^rale ihy sense of ' its^ rights.
^ Base and unworthy son!'* mghed I, ^' ud-
generottS, cruel brother ! W^y should I saeri^
jRice to thee my only chance on this side the
^afe?'^ Tht inean aequiescenc« of James'
tinder a blow which afmost nerved my arm:
igainst the royal murderer, had already
sttfflcienlly shocfee* my feelings^ and shtrt

TUB HEOBJUfi 8m. $&'

him oat oS^ all my plans ; alas> I eould on^
excuse \m misconducl by supposit^ ibaili^^
vitis yet sobj^te^ to hi» moth/dr's^emi^s;
tbocigk evta tben^ ageRefouS' s^hI woqld^
vesolutelyi have protestedf agaiQAMbe evil iif
could BQt* premnt ; but to Iw assuit^ tba^
W sa^^rificad au inviokble du^^ and evevy'
SMial iceting at tiieshiioe' of tfaatUoaUdP
iiaij selji robbed him of* ail ^ c^aioi to Ihi^
jb«liog% tke datiesbereaoitncedi Th«:de*
termined plao of the generous Easexbad'
•very &in^ in its Ikvoar^ nor was my- con-
oorrence so necessary to hia suci^Mi' a»
kappin/ess-^ut wherefore should I hesit&t^
wben nok to unite in i% was to delirverjnyseMt
np toan implacable enemy? yel> as avow*^
ediy.to depart with Essex, or emo, after^
him^ wonld awaJien dangerous. su9|)ieione ia
d^is.mindof EUeabeib, and eon#ti|L'all the
shfeuders-'of^ the world, T ponded 'ibuch qn
^.siagul^r idea that- arose io vfty mind^ hf
^ieh both might be obviated^ indeed the
sttnatioo of my health would haTe saffi*
cfently^opposed my going with him had ao
«*« pty^ion occ^rMd.— I perceived an
^ c 6

SS THE RECESS, &C.

ail! of stifled, anger in Essex w.hen he re-
turned, which I conjured him to expound:
.. *^ It 19 A niatler of. no.<x)nseqiienc€," said
lie, wjyth. his usual frankness; ^^ foitunat^ly
the: few fpends I Jbave hrought with me are
tried aad^ valiant, and we have the power in.

-<Mur.Qwxi bauds : the wretches, my love, who
surround you pretend an authority from the
Queen, as well as . from the late Lord Ar-

' *iDgton>. for your detention ;, this will oblige
lis to use .a violence I. would rather have
avoided; but that, is a trifte." '' Oh! call
not .any thing a trifle which affects your
safety, however remot^y,'* cried I ; ^^ in
jieWipg jto;.the bold project yoahave ven-
tured to form, beware 1 do not become its
r^ii:i.-.jes, look not on me with so marked
Of.wonder; my soul accords to, adopts^ at
oup.e ^ll.your views. I will at last indulge
i^y heart, and thus' afl&anee it to your's—
born to pursue your fortmae, I will joyfully
cpns^nyto partake it, so you, in return,,
swear the . confidence, will rendpr youbut
iliore guarded; in considerijig my own ho^
i|Qui; I ertp only ivatcbing over you|f'$ ; plf dge*

THE RECESS, &C. 37

tben your word that you will not interfere
with my plan, and I in return will vow,
that all I henceforward form shall have the
same tendency with your own."

The generous Essex scarcely credited his
senses, and gave with readiness the assurance
I desired. — Resolved to guard my sister's
prior rights, and unable to judge of the
motives which might bury her for a time in '
oblivion, I insisted on his supporting heir
claioi in preference to mine, if ever she
should appear ; and he perhaps the more
readily acquiesced in this request, from a
conviction that she no longer existed, as all
my opinions on that head appeared to bii^
entirely visionary.

Refusing to confide in this dear rash lover,
the means by which I nxeant to rejoin him^
I obliged him to assume .an air of grief and
despair, which persuaded the Arlington
family that I had relapsed into insanity. In
the interim a maid of mine had been seized
with an epidemic, fever of the most danger-
ous kind;, I iipipatiently hastened the depar-
ture of Essexjr lest the cruel malady should
infect bim^ and conjured him to wait witU,

Lacly Somlbampli^tv^^tbe port) fi^m whe««^
tfaetroops'hadatready embfirked^ till I ^loald
rejoitf him. The air of< satlKfectiou^ be per*
ceived in me made kbu comply agakist^his-
l)«tter JHdgm«ffif^, aiid^ the AifiingtoB race.
Iky k» ov«ijoy«d at Ws departure thfaa my
9appe«ed. relapse, and' ffeorfol cS the epi-
demio fer^f shut mp' these wbe knise^ '
. dJat^ly attended en me t» ^e <j«af ter^of the
Afebey riithaWted, avoiding it^them^eiveaasi
though the plague were eneJesed there.

Ih this' solitude 1- executed a surprtsing^
prc^t' I badleng medttated : ftmxt the mo^
xnent I was inlbni^ of the mdeh interioettV
of Lord Leicestef ray min^ had dwelt on
the idea ; I saw it was only to mertiodize'
themo9t wild and romairtlc plan, a«^, hon-
everr unfeasiUe it ai first appeared, time*
might- fbtm and bring it- to effect.— The*
tteasore of the survey^a now^ Became a^-
treasure indeed ; reAoctiofi eonviiMjed^ me
that the bequest originate in bis^ baViifg
been the confidant as weir as witness of bi»>
Lord's imgenerotts wiB, and by tlins dis*
posing of bi» own acqaisitfoa he enabled'
me to etcape from the ttes^icabU benctage

it entaited upon me, wWicmt betrayinghh
trttst.— -Tfte maid; vrho alotte wrtnes^d the
mysterioas legacy, had; by* her inviolaUe
rflewccron so singolar an event, scrfHciently
proved that she could merit my whole con-
fttfettce; foftunately, she wa» no Ie90 fk^
voured by those in whose power I' was left,
and became of course the properesf and
only assistant I could fix on :-r-by thus turn-
ing* the drtffice of the Queen upon herself
I* urightat once escape from her power, and
ifrat of' the guardians under whose care she
had^ placed me; and gratify the first wish
of E^sex- withont endarfgering his safety.

AWthea embraced tlie plan with joy, and
engaged her parents, who were labourers in*
the neighbourhood, to aid -the delusion. — I'
aflfected to be seized with the same fatal
ftver as^soon as the raaid^s s3rmptom9- be-
came mortal, and when she soon after* died,
resigni6d*nry bed to her corpse: her hair,
height, complexion, and age, so ftir agreed
with mine as to secure me from common
observation, and dread' of the contagion
saved us from a very strict scrutiny : as if
was believed that the maid expired nearly

4-0 THE RECESS, &C.

at the same time with myself^ by Alithea's
judicious managemeot her supposed body
lyas to be delivered to the parents of that
"faithful domestic; when placing myself
and treasure in the homely coffin, I was
boldly conveyed like the Empress Maud
through the midst of my enemies, and lodged
in their humble cot till enough recovered to
£ursue the route of Essex*
* Alithea now published the new$ of my
death through the family, wfco heard of it
with joy; ihe unguarded conduct of the
generous Essex had suggested to them, that
to have acted uader the authority of the
Queen might one day be a very insufficient
vindication: — ^Ihis idea added fear to that
hatred they always entertained for me, and
with pleasure they buried both those passions
in my grave. Having surveyed my ward-
robe, jewels, and papers, without findihg
the least deficiency, they prepared for my .
intermenti and discharged .my immediate
^attendants; among them the favoured pne
who had aided my scheme, and her re-
turn to her parents restored peace to my
bosom •.

THE RECESS, &C. 41

From the bumble cot of that honest
creature's parents do I close this period of
my memoirsf — here, as from ^ an invisible
world, have I surveyed the gloomy pageant^
with which the erroneous judgment of those
from -whom I escaped have dignified a low*
born female, and by placing her pomponlsly
at the side of Lord Arlington they perhaps
have blundered. unconsciously on propriety.
—As the sable train wound by my window^
my soul paused on the solemn vanity
Oh ! that in thy tomb, thou q«iet sleeper^
sighed I, may be interred with my name
all the painful part of my existence J that'
renovated to anew and happier being>" I
may emerge again intoavrorld which stin
opens a flowery path before me, with cor-
rected spirits, unfaltering reason, and a tem-
per superior to the shocks of misfortune ! ■' —
*, # # # # #

The soul, ever capricious and uncertain,
fiilly enjoys only the pleasures it makes for
itself. — Often do I seem even in this rustic
asylum concealed in the coarse garments of
the other sex, and looking towards a distant
kingdom as my home, to have hoards of

42 TtiTS R£O^B«Sb f9C»

kope smd'happiiicsfr to build ,(m> myryo^h-
fyi], hedithful days wcore never Uest witk;«f««»««-
#. ♦» *f #». ♦• **
Myown fai^ lias ouce more reoaUad to
my mindttbat of M«tilcU^ have tuedttated
QUicb'Oa a fiifiiter so dtap^-^Uae^ t^iiQ^cestattilyt
Jismm i» la tke rigbtr^; aadi tbece.ejfialMfeotrfl^
)>eiiig I^calir oaU'by ttmik ttanf .-r-]«M|Pv7eas»
b»ve Miao9«ded eaob otber>. and) atiU tfaafi
incooii^beiiaible oijssterjv tfakt dteadfiil'
ailence contifiueaf bpf^ is tbera a eiracimf-'
stance but death' tbirt o^uldfoooaflioftUj-^
Farewdl tbw>. oh naiM ever aa plaasiot to^
ipy^ lips^ eiok deef^ inia my heaii> and ifi^
xpain ettmaliy engsavad tken»— AoseiDdl^
tfaAH p^De-Tf^phitrl toDt^tfieieid foaftviocldiso
gfas^^. L' wiU BO mone Jook for thee oa ita
fiuriWo^i. It Will »Q i9€>fe* imogiae il^e be*
uaath itr'Hmy I wili nnMir raise my^stadfttsib
eye to that h^vw ^1 wt^re^he^icked cease
fjtmmtv^Mm^'i aad muome^^yfi^r andiaco-,
iwi^tftaff&Myf' I; behold thee! Ahdeig^
if so, ta g|i>de ihe uikoaf lata stq^of a-wan*
derer, aad if my prud fate coodvct them
QiiJl toward, precipices^ , irradiate the scene,
mad daliver me &am the dangerJ-^-My spuitai

ftre' hi^y Wrougfat^ bwA a* sol^nnit^ too
eo^uUh^ for d^SGrlption possesses every
faculty^— I must stcepr tlsem all in oUiviiHl
ere Itrecover-mygquammity; ■■■ ■ ■ ' ■ -

dl»SII c<iiii^ieiiiib^ ito^ I tvilLnoi^podi^
it'catibe dbne fargohi^ acBdiy^iumrimni
W8ir tbeu^ranpfrt a Itede^of tbut vile^ mtltil
ti^^^ntt^tiie c^ye^ftirroifisd eoimteifsuic^
of AUtiiea'v^neiitUe pcir^iMis f Td tiit^^anb
which gave I have restored the remainder;
it is buried eastward^ under the spreading
chesnur jrtkntfed* by Edwarrf iV.-^thai po-
j^ltf ti^ pffm«ct«ri2iiikefibiiinbe€fi)mce
of i^ (»)imer> afidittKi ^pmlm<i£ttbe hUmx^oa^
will bide it s^My: hut, cAi^l if etet am
noble heai?t sifhs uader ili«^^ttide^ op^resied
^tb the s^ng of-pamuy^ may! soomi' good
iftiigd ifHispef^ ** y^Do ri»sr^ofi4biQA> which c^a
ftlly reli^v^ you;"

AIl'i^ii^B^'prepans#ft)rmyfl]gUt; thwm
tetrnt^ the atl^ndmee of*i\^«hett| it eaii
be well sttppHed in the remembranee' thi*
she is happy — it7^4gent heaven has gi^ven
to her paarents* who grow old in peace mA

44 TH£ RECESS^ &C.

virtue^ a lover who knows not falsehood of'
ambition^ and a soul jasily grateful for
blessings beyond all valoation-^the faithful
creature delays the happiness of faim »he
loves till he shall have conveyed this broken
narrative into the hands of Lady Pembroke;
por do I fear to trust him with it. Dear,
noble.fri«nd> once 4xiore my soul fondly sa-
lutes you ; bestow on my flight those pious
prayers with which virtue consecrates our
purposes, and believe mine rise ever. for
you. . .

. LADY PEMBROKE WRITES-

Hardly had I recovered from the surprise
and grief occasicM^ed by the publication of
this sweet creature's supposititious death ere
a rustic demanded permission to see me,
itnd mysteriously delivered the wonderful
packet-^alas, how affecting did I find it I
far, however, from drying up my tears at
learnitig the angel yet lived, I looked with
terror on the future, lest every following
day should multiply or terribly finish her
miseries, Ah, dear Matilda 1 I cannot
agree with this fair visionary, who so easily

TU£ RECESSi &C. 45

adopts the romance of her lover. — Some*
tiling seems to assure me thou art still alive^
and suffering: and for thy sake I will pre-
serve these melancholy memorials: alas!
perhaps it w^re more generous to .destroy
ihem, .

LETTER I,

I>ated progheda.

FROM the safe shores of another king-
dom once more do 1 greet my friend. — ^Alas !
ill can we judge for ourselves^ dear Lady
Pembroke.

Provided with a fleet horse I set out to
follow Essex, but scarce had I travelled a
single day, ere my shattered constitution
(no longer able to sustain the least toil)
claimed two to recover the fatigue of the
first. During my stay at the inn, my
youh, the delicacy of my person and man-
ners, with the air of reserve [ found it neces-
sary to assume, excited a curiosity my libera-
lity alone was able to. bound, though even
that gave rise to suspicions almost equally

46 (PH^ RECESS, i&C.

dsngercms. 1 began tofear ibat my sdienie
tWOttld ^holly ^ii in the execution; I
Irir^d, however^ two fudtics^ well fecosn*
-^menided^ as a^gtiid^^ >abd .an .escort^ yet m
Irayellibg on .the soUlary .moim tains of
Wales, often da^ed not turn my head <MPer
my shoulder, lest in my guards I should
behold my murderers. My impaired health
• rendered the journey very tedious; during
its progress> I passed for a poor youth fol-
lowing the steps of my father, and far gone
in a concruaiption^vHAAer immense fatigue,
I arrived at length at the port ; where I un«
dersiood with inexpressible chagrin that
'Essex had embarked for Ireland a week be^
'forei*^Alas ! a moment's secollection enabled
-me toac(X)]intfortbi8, 'appar^tly, strange
desertioii>»-in<my eagerness, to conceal my
jfavourite sebeme I had forgotten to guard
against the .chance of his being in&rmed
pf my supposed death ere I reached .him.
X)n inquiry I plainly perceived that he had
l^^spies in the neighbourhood of St. Vin«-
-centos J^bb^y when he qnitted it, who, misled
'hj report, had hastened after him with n^ws
i;>f the raeliM»eholy event. I iearnt tj^at he

THE «CC£8S| &C. 47

haddelaj^^Cfotskig^frcKa ltm<e'tO'time with-
mgut -giyittgany reason for it/ bttton being
jfoused by tbearrnr^^f 4woofli<!ers^ be order^
4idMie -seameii 'to« be cell^ in tbe deed of
nighty and etnbai4ced'the mosieBt the tide
favoitred bis departure. .

Thougb this infonnation left ine only
jnyself to- reproaob^ it did not lessen my
cbagrin« I wandered^ tow^ the shore to
meditate -at kisure; it was still littered
-with soldiers and their appendages: ihey
were indulging with ungovemed licence in
drinking and riot.-^Every think I beheld^
increased my fears of the voyage-, it was
indeed a tremendous project^- to embark
with a numerous body of heentiou^^fien for
an unknown country^ while wi^apt in mys-
tery myself, and 'without a protector.-*-
How if actuated by curiosity, or a lest
excusable motive, l^ey should guess at my
jsex, and pry into my story ? 'Perhaps even
the name of their general would want in-
flueiree to guard me^ I turned woman
again, 'and trembled at the bare idea. While
irresolute in what man-ner to dispose of my
. snfortoaate' self Iri9ibsei?¥€4 a^body of tr»-

46 THE RECESS, &C«

Tellers apprpachiag, and undefrstood with
joy that it was Lady Southampton and her'
train^ escorted by a chosen troop^ for whom
those I had already sefen waited. — I blest
indulgent heaven^ which thus relieved me
from the effects of my own indiscretion, and
demanded to see her — ^to see her was enough,
for with the peifetration natural to her sex,
she instantly knew me, and throwing her
anns around my neck, reproached me
with a generous freedom for having re-
tarded her journey, by obliging her to
wait in vain for my arrival: and finally,
for shocking her with the fictitious story
of my death. — I explained to her my un-
guarded conduct, and its motives — She
.assured me that she. dreaded the effect it
jnighthaveon my lover, as her I.ord bad
not time to write more than that Essex was
in despair for my loss, nor dared he ven-
ture to leave him; therefore conjured her
16 confide herself to the care of the offi-
cers he' mentioned, and ' follow with all
expedition.— This information . doubled
the regret which had already seized on
me; but to guard against all suspicion

aii4 inqiiirjr« 1 tt9oiyeito xetiaui^mj^UM^
euline habit, and pass £» ooe of Xsdf
Sotttbampton'ft pa^i till 6fi|£filjr lodged in:
treland.

We arrived here last night, md found
a- 'letter from Lord -Spothaaiipton, lament-
ing the impossibility of mming for faifi
Lady, without abandoning EssieK to a grief
which urged him to rasiinefts and despaii*;
he ended mth conjurii^ her to reoiaia
i« this town till be bad eoftsi^Eered haw
to dispose of lier «afely*-^Oh, fortarie, for-
tune, hojv unfairly do we accuse tbde« when
folly alone has led us into error! £ am
more miserable . than it is possible to ex-
press. Lady Southampton would fain per-
suade me thatl;his oversight may eventually
prpye lucky, \as it will preveat ^y i^am
seeing Essex erjB this death of }ik Lad^^ —
Ah! what alteration <ian ber Jps3, makt'm
my f;ate?r-^^^ I tell youj my wMchful frieiid/
you cauQot love oji^ bpw^r foo^e than J
do liis «a&ty^H*betweeo hifid atid iKie there
h another bar ^. less i^sjifff^wiM^---^
bid not my \si9ter*s ^igrifi^ge wijth a .f«^

TOL. III. i>

so THE RECESS, &C.

vourite of Elizabeth cost him his Vitei
Alas,, perhaps ber's too was sacrificed !"—
Over her mysterious fate a dark veil early
fellj dipt perhaps in the blood of her be-'
loved— -rather may I see my own vein«
opened; t]:ian surviue such a calamity ; but
even at this moment it has perhaps fallen
on me, and 1 may be dying in Essex while
yet unconscious of my fate— oh, what
horrors, take -possession of my soul at the

bare idea! Lady Southampton has

sealed' her English dispatches^ and I can
only say adieu.

LETTER IL

Dated Drogheda.

BOUND '^ to this spot, iny generous
friend, and dreading all which passes be-
yond it, hardly can my lieart feel the congta-
tulation you bestow. ' Environed by enemies,
and rendered rash by desp>air, Essex now
renounces the glorious visions he possessed *
my imagination with, and resigns him- .
^elf whoUy up to his command.-— Oh, that

THE RECESS, &C. 51

tlifr arrow which stabs me should have
^been sharpened by my own hand! — All
here is alarm^ uncertainty, and confusion*
—we gfet and lose in the course of every*
day a passage to our friends, nor dare we
trust to that channel aught of importance.
Sir Coniers Clifford with a chosen body ^f
troops was yesterday surrounded^ himself
and half his men cutoff immediately — among
the officers was a relation of Lady South-
ampton's; she has been weeping the whole
day for him. For my own part^ conscious
that I have not a tear to spare for comn^on
inflictions^ I gather mine into my hearty
which feels ready to pour forth adeluge the,
moment one of my many fears shall be con-,
firmed. — You can form no conception of the,
wants, the woes, the horrible iscenes we wit-
ness. — Born and bred in the arms of luxury
and prosperity, a distant war but faintly af-
fects our minds; but oh, how tremendous
does it appear when once we are driven into,
its tempestuous seat !— -death, ghastly death
assumes a bloody variety of forms ; while
rapine, famine, sickness, and poverty, fear-t
fully forerun him.

D (J

4a. tHt. RECES^ &C*

, I hsm hiihwio thought my sister'* fate
ili6r« tbna^nWMMiely wretched tbaa even my
own, bat llow is every ewl lightened by.
c0mpBfi»oft}«-BeloV!ed Mftiilda, born aa^
yon wete to vvofe, yom »aW b»t one bounded,
prtwpdfjt of Ihft infinitude the globe preseot*
to tt«s the borr<w;s of this were ur^knowtt
to yoti-^-iinComfoftiiig is the pillow of her.
who deeps Wiihia the sound of ft drum, and
f«nciM iu eVery fttroke is fate.— Is thk to
liv^? Ah no! it ir to be continiially

dying.

ft^ cottat/y 60 nearly ^lied to-our own,
yet offecs lo o« vi^w a kind of new world ;^
rfiyidod into petty states, itiveterately hating
each other, it k&oWjS not the benefit of so*
ei^tyi ^XC^^pt wbe«i neces^ty coinbm^ the
various parife* i^ainst a tommo^ enemy;
\ y^, though ne«e«8ity imitss>itca»oot4)lend
theiui tlve l^st cefcgation of general da»^
ger AWti^As 'sH their narrow partialities
and p#e}ilditc«, whidli cctttinwalty break*
o»t irith Woody viotence. The advaa*
tages oif ^omiiier<je> the cbawns of lite^
ni^?ore> tA\ JtW gr^oes of civiliaatitin*
which at once enrich the mi^ WA ft^rtit.

THE RECMB, ftC. 53

the manners, are almost unknown to tl)is
people; with a savage pride they fancy
their very wants virtue, and owe to their
poverty an unregulated valour, which oftcii
enables them to contend* with well-disci-
plined troops^ whom they sometimes de-
feat by mere want of knowledge; at others',
on the contrary, they obstinately pursue
an unequal contest, while speculating
reason turns away from the bloody scene,
VfiiiaJy conscious that fheir mingled bodies
strew the earth, onlyhecause no benevolent
tjeipg has yet deigned to attempt the con-
quest of Aheir minds.

Hqw deeply must such reflections operjite
tgpon a heart bound up in the life of the ac-
compKshed leadei^l endued with but the
common powers of humanity, exposed with
the rest, alike to the swor^aud tp the ele-
ments, he, eveil he, must one day perish ;
and while I weep the wretches every hour
deprived of their beloved protectors, I
know not but that I n^ay at the same mement
be added to itie number. — ^Ah, if despair
should impel Essex, — ^his natural heroism
1^3 ,

54 THE RECESS, &ۥ

needs no such incentive, — should he fall,
unconscious of my yet surviving^ to that fatal
though well designed artifice I should for
ever impute his loss, and die for having
feigned to do so.

A wild fancy has taken strange possession
of my mind — Lady Southampton says it is
madness; perhaps it really is so, but I can
think of nothing else : she, however^ is too
timid to judge — &he will pass her whole life
here I really believe.

Were I but for a moment to behold
that expressive countenance, — were 1 by a
kind of resurrection, again to appear before
him!

Something strangely impels me — a chosen
troop are now setting out.-— I shall be safe
under their protection. — ^Ah, if this ungo-
vernable impulse should be but a presenti-
ment of his danger — never, never sliould I
forgive myself were I to leave himj, wounded
and dying, to the care of persons compara-
tively indifferent.

'\ Argue no longer, n»y dear importunate
friend, I will go, but depend on my hasten-^

THE RECESS, &C. 55

ing back;'''— Lady Southampton would
have made a wretehed love for Essex ; she
is the most apprehensive of women; but

he was not born to mate with that atpiring

ero.

d4

THE RECESS, &c.

PART V.

xjL silence flo tedious will make yon
number me ^ among the dead ; recover
yourself, my beloved friend— ^born to a
perpetual contest with ill fortune^ I sink
not even yet under the oppression. — I have .
been collecting all my thoughts to pursue
my strange recital, more strange indeed
every day.

'SHE R£C£SS, 8iC ST

In our way towards Ulster, we w«re in-
tercepCed by a body of the rebellious f rieh;
and a desperate skhrmisli eiisued.^-«-{i^w
shall I owu it, and call myself the love of
Essex ? yet so it was — I, who had been 5d
valiant in imagination, and remote from th^
field' of action — I, who had in fancy* lifted si
sword with the strength of Goliab, and in^
lerposed a shield before Essex, heavier per*,
baps than myself, shrtmk into annihilation
at the bare sight of the conflict*; w* the
feintings which laid me among the jslain,
perhaps alone saved me from being addjed
to theli: number. I revived in the hands
' of some ferocious women, who in stripping
the dead, had discovered at one moment
that I yet lived, and was of their own sexi
Iiaduced either by a sentiment of hnmii-
nlty, or the hope of a reward, they listened
to my eager supplications for life, and
conveyed me to a neighbouring cabin;
whither th^y summoned a priest, >rfio
opened a vein in my arm. On feeWy re-
viving once more, I cast my eyes round
ill spcfKjhfess astonii^hment, scarce knowing
. 5

5S THE RECESS, JCC.

whether I should think my escape a blessing.
I was envu'ODed by a set of beings who in
complexion alone bore any resemblance to
myself^' their language^ iliannersj and lives^
s^ming no more analogous^ than those of
the inj^abitants of the Torrid Zone. I la-
boured in vain to comprehend tbeni^ or to
make myself understood^ and was in despair
giving up the attempt^ when the priest al«
ready mentioned came to my relief. Through
his means I informed them that the Lord
Deputy would redeem me at any ransom^
provided they secured me from danger and
insult. I should^ I believe^ have ensured
my own safety, had not the victorious party
learnt> by some straggler, that an English
woman of distinguished rank had been dis«»
covered among the slain ». They eagerly
turned back to demand me> and the hope of
reward alike influencing my preservers to
keep me in their hands, a dispute no lesa
fierce, though not so bloody, as that I had
before witnessed, followed ; it was too violent
to be compromised) and at length, as the
only way to prevent murder, both parties

TB£ R£CZSS, &C. 59

agreed that I should be put into the hiiuds
of- their General, Tiroen ; or, as some called
him, ONeal. Intreaties or resistance would
have been equally vain, and I was obliged
to rejoice that they thought me of conse-
quence enough' to act so honourably i>y mle.
During this interval, one of the servants
deputed by Lady Southampton immediately
to attend on me, having lingered a few
minutes behind the English troop, followed
to rejoin them at. the moment of the onset:
the sound of the firing reached him ere he
he fell in with the soouts, and clapping
spurs to his horse, he flew back to the v'd*
lage we all had lately quitted, there to wait
in safety the event of the contest i at this
plac$ he. wa& informed a band of rebels had
issued out from an ambuscade formed in the
neighbouring .mountain : and while he was
wavering .what step to take, the news of ray
iex and capture suddenly reached him ; ,
struck with the idea. of some important
mystery, as well from my disguise as the cau-
tions of his Lady, he hastened .back to her.
with the strange intelligence. The generous
D 6

hm% tittdd LsAy S6utfa«fiiptra> Impirci^^
solely with tbs idea of my 4aiiger> wrpte
iasUttttaneottsty to Enex^ briefty recitidg fidl
. ke did noi know of my ftory^ ami stmigty
> conjvriog hijpi tp eserl bit u^tost teQueiiee
to pnreserve sie frotii d^Mj^er of ttMiiU.

But who sihall paint th^ fetli^giiof ^sex
v«Fheii thissturpripi^inteHigeaoe^rst veaqh^
him I intriligenco whicb> in ono momcfi^^
opened alltfa^se fiou^iiet^ iftB&i^ii€s»in bis
Boul grief and ^beispaiar iad well n%b coh*
gealed. To thifik I MiM liy^d vrotild hii^e
been coneomaiMe bAppiiiew> bad I liotbe^a
thus umccottlitaUy saatabed away> e^^ii At
the yery moioebt of o^y siiraoakNi^ naiipm-
tioQ: so niagular a coiiipUeatioh of ef eftts
%Imo$t deprived him <^f his fi«n«^^ aitfd
wrought impulse up fa» egony • jpertiiipii tiie
last uatowajfd inddoDt df n^ lift^ !il^ jM-
ceasary tor save bis brain kokk pai1»hittg Ae
disflractiotis of bk mind i-^ieb atl the hea^t
of an incurable sorrow — fatigued with <Ae
cares of gor^rtiiiidtit and- the slwtery ^f
command^ tfae iSkev/^ of my exii^encli and
captnn; made bini Anui in d»tkielJMl3

tAe recess, &c. 6 1

'fcjftfaerto so oppressive the sole prospect of *
recovering » treasure which alone could give
value to his fatiife life.

From the knowledge acquired in his mtlf-
tary cbnlmatid Essex was enabled to decide
on the character of Tiroen-^he justly be-
lieved it unprincipled and ungovernable;
how mast be tremble then to tecolleot that
kny £Bte was in his bands! In a conjuncture
80 dangerous he resigned himself entirely
up to the guidance of an impassioned hearty
aad, dispatched an officer of rank> charging
ibe arcfa^rebdj by the blood of thousands
yet unspilt, nob to exasperate the Eqgli^b^
and yaaseH^in particular^ by malti*eating
the lady fortune had thrown into his power^
for whose ransotti any sum was tenured her
captors should demand.

This rash and impetuoui; address hod con-
aeqlienees onty less dangerous than those it
guarded against. Tiroen unfbrtvmately dis^
ootoaMd at biioe that he had the happiness
of the I^nil Deputy in hb keeping; and
ftkuigh lie flattened hftui tmm time to t}m4&
,wiliijiroaise»of aohtetroal^aDeM he secretly

6a THE RECESS, &C.

detenniaed, no doubt, thkt if he ever parted
with me it should be upon his own terms.

It was not till several of these messages
bad passed that Tiroen's curiosity led him to
pay me a visit : the attention excited by my
masculine habit had led me immediately to
request one more suited to my sex ; and the
delicate situation I stood in obliging me to
conduct myself with the utmost caution, I
had' thought it peculiarly fortunate to escape
the notice of the General.

The continual repetition of his tedious -
visits when once he had seen me; the lavish
supply of such accommodations as tbcd
ravaged country then afforded— an obstinate
silence on the stdte of my affairs, and the
most wearisome discussions of his own, all
too soon convinced me that neither his pride,
his ambition, or his ferocity, had been able
to guard the heart of Tiro^n from that
powerful passion which invigorated the be-^
ing of bis -distinguished rival — ^I trembled at
recollecting tliat I was wholly in his power^ —
already misjudged as the voluntary mistress
of £ssex, unwilling to announce myself.

THE RECESS, &C. 63

and unable, had I done so, to prove my
right to distinction, mine was indeed a fear-
^ul situation. I was not aliowed to hold
any correspondence with the English-, and
only knew by the watch kept over me
that a human being was anxious fpr m^
reles^se.

Whatever consequences might ensue from
my appearing pleased with the distinctions
lavished on me by Tiroen, I felt every day
more, sensibly that I had no other means of
avoiding the licentious insolence of bis
officers ; who fancied their services so im-
portant to the cause they had espoused as
to secure their conduct from too strict a
scrutiny.

Tiroen meantime sought occasions tp
ireak off, repew, and prolong the secret
intercourse in which he had now engaged
with Essex; hut a lingering treaty agreed
not with the fiery impatience of that unfor,-
tunate hero. His divided soul no Ipnger
attended to the duties of his conunand-^tbe
business of the war was at an end — Essex
was no longer a cpol ^nd prudent General,
watchful to s^ize every . advantage^ an4

€4 T«E RECESS, &d.

harass tBie enemy — alas, he was now only a
wild and extravagant lorer, ready to fiacri*
fice every consideration to the recovery of
one adored individual .-^D^livered up to
passion, to terror, ie agony„ td every tor-
turing excess of overstrained sensibility, at
this fatal period the generous Essex was
gradually sacrificing the whole renowii of a
life "hitherto so glorious. The news of
Tiroen'« loye crowned his misfortunes ; and
that execrable traitor, determined to biifi^,
if possible, the Lord Deputy to Ws terms^
by various emissaries had him informed of
plots be never laid against me, and repulses
he never sustained ; always speciously dis-
owning such designs, in terms calculated

/<mly to redouble the suspiciotts of his rival.

By arti6oe9 like these the warlike talents
and digntfied miwi of Essex were kept m
-absoluta subjection; he no longer dared
to exert the valwrr which burned proudly
ethis heart, but^ifling every emotion !eve

' ^id not excite be eagerly engaged in asecret
«nd dangerous treaty.-— -The rash proposal

' 'itt Essex to confer wift Uroen from the
«pposil« %Aak9of ^^ rimlei I imputed W^

THE *«CEllS, &C. ' , 65

pas^nat^ desire a lover ever has to judge
ol t^ p«rfiDa> and-talents of the man who
ditreg t0 rival hkn: this interview could n6t
te kept a is^eret — aVaa, perfiaps it decided
die ^*t»iie of the Lord Deputy. — Misj adged
fMntt tbftt mometit by a busy worlds which
ip^ei ©irty the siirfiice of things, to timidity,
1^ aivairice, l<» iHdoleiice> to amWtion, by
turns, has been ascrit^ an incident, of
vrhich lov« bad all the"- merit or the
^»If j^M.-r^Ah ! iiad tho ermMOOs nf uUif ude
Qonsid^yad ^ » momeft^ imre(y they \\9ti
4UK9tm^ a a^yUery ia hi» c^iidiiet. — Wb«t
009ili aaibittOQ/ glory, psid^^ i^4«Nne, ke.
:4ifl IH>t pQsa««9 alteady^ If to bold the
most absolute sway ov^r the nibsl abiolsiAe
.^ Sewrbigii» wM gmtify thiw^ wishes,
^#y we^gratified.^IUlber,. ye b<»y many^
Je^rn to pity tbai> eoockenm tfce gwiefous
JfWf^y ot a bleeding b«ari which boldly m-
€«i6€^d every thing to an ove**r«iing, an
Wrems^Ue paAsion-^a passion mine waet
brejik to answer-nmd it mlt hreak^--C& 5
My shook brain, how wild it wanders !-^ ,
##«•♦♦#
Qay visiom of a bt^er, happi^ spbefCj,^ ^

66 THE RECESS, &<?.

where are ye? ah ! dei^n to gild awhile

.this glooEoy world! •—'how inexpressibly

sweet are at intervals the trances of my

mind I care, sorrow> suffering, mortality

itself is forgotten ; absorpt in a^ bright ob-
scure, every high*wrought feeling hpvers
on the verge of a long eternity — f^on this
earthy covering, how it drags down my
soul> my soaring soul !

I wake from these day dreams, and re-
turn to my subject-— in fruitless and tedious
negotiations were thus consuming those days
we would in vain recall, those important
days fraught with the very fate of the
noblest of mankind* ^

• The IcMig delays, the eternal disappoint-
ments, exhausted my patience : agitated by
a thousand apprehensions Vhich no less
cbricemed my lover than myself, misery
once more struck her iron fangs through
my quivering heart. Compelled to struggle
with a soul justly conscious of virtue ; to
support an apparent tranquillity; to adopt
an artificial character ; to suffer Tiroen
to delude himself into a persuasion that the

THE RECESS, &C. 6/

tje between me and Essex was dishonouc-
able^ lest an uncertain one should want
power to restrain him, how many implicated
indignities did I patiently endure ! — Perse-
cuted with his base solicitations; oven;*
whelmed with bribes as splendid as they
were contemptible, I could ward off hisej^^
pectations only by a feint py nature dis-i
dained. In answer to bis unbounded ofr
fers, and tender protestations, I one daj
bade him remember that in those instance;^
he could not surpass the generous lover he
sought to rival ; for that .it was in th^
poT^rer of Essex to give me every thing'
but his title. Tiroen paused indignantly
for a moment, and my heart exulting i^
its ^artifice, fondly hoped the spectres of
his whole line of royal ancestors would
sweep before him, precluding every ide^
of a union so dishonourable. His whol^
estimation, and the success of the war de-
pended, I well knew, on his retaining the
alFectiqns of the peoplej and how could he
hope for those if he disgraced the blood o^
the O'Neals ? He scarce credited the bold-,
ness of idea which appeared in this bint

6^8 Vhe recess, &<;»

of mine, and strack with a persnrtsion thai
1 must be of soine superior rank to dare ^
thus to elevate my eyes to him, he once
more attempted to dive into a secret so
carefully and obstinately concealed. I was,
however, on tty guard, and sunk agaiu
into my original obscurity. Still eager to
possess a woman he could not esteem, he
at Jftst assured me '(after having observed
thai ati engagement to a lady of his owa
fiimily alone held his party together) that
he would bind hkiwelf in private by every
tyc I stionld dictate. I unwarily repliedj.
the eonddct and lov^ of Essex had been so
unqtrestiottably noble, that nothing but a
aupericnr and public marriage could vindi-
cate me cveii to myself, in breaking with
him.«*-Tiroen*s look and answer mad^ ttie
"sensible at once of the danger of thi«
tpeech, and th^t in leaving 'him without
hope, I had left myself without safety. I
felt from this moriient like a wretch en-
tirely demoted ; anxl under the name of in-
disposition (of which indeed I had sufficient
reason to complain) 1 procured from a sur-
•geoa who bled me, a quantity of liquid

THE RECESS, &C* (?9r

laiidiinuin, some portion of which I pre*
tended to take everj night, but in reality
reserved the whole of it for that fatal one
vbich should confirm my fears,

» Such were the sufferings of Essex and
myself, while the two camps were in sight '
' of each other; and nothing but the most
guarded vigihmce could prevent the in-
censed English from coming to action. — I
was one evening alone in the tent allotted
to ine (for Tiroen would never trust me in?
any neighbouring fort or town), which,
from the ascent it was pitched on^ com-
manded the whole valley, and looking, with
tearful eyes towards the increasing fires in,
the English carnp, wlien Tiroen apprOiacbed
me unawares^ bis complexion was ^flushed
with wiae^ and his eyes and air shewed a.
determination at wliieh my. nature shud^
dered:— *no longer regarding decorum or
respect, his manners' made me in a mo*
m&Ai sensible that I had deferred taking
I my laudanum too laag.'*^An idea^ at which

! I, have never yet ceased to wondca,, sug»

! ge^ted Itself to my amnd; ^^ whiLe fiuctu :

atuig Ikiweea the possible mA impossibles .

70 THE RECESS, &CU

I a little soothed the boisterous wretch at
whose profligate vows I trembled :— -intoxi-
cation deprived him of the guard he had so
long kept over his lips — imagining himself
already possessed of the beloved of Essex,
Tiroen could not forbear vaunting of the
address which secured her to him. I learnt
with equal horror and amazement, that the
long delay my capture and the subsequent
treaties had ©ccasioned in the war, were
all concerted strokes of diabolical policy to
ruin the fair fame of the Lord Deputy ;—
that during these fatal treaties, he himself
had sent the most indubitable. proofs to Eli-
zabeth of the misconduct of her General,
and had every reason to suppose he woum
immediately be recalled, and ignomlniously
punished — satisfied that she could never
select another equally dear to the army, on'
which every thing in war depended. I

turned with ineffable disdain towards the

monster. Oh, that an eye-beam could

have killed hiiif !^ — Engrossed, however, by
his various views, inflated with self-love
and applause, and confused with wine, he
saw not a glance which would instantane-'

THE RECESS, &C. 71'

ously have unfolded my whole heart, to the
execrable, the ungenerous traitor ; unworthy
the race he sprung from, and the sword he
drew. He continued to expatiate on his
hopes of wdolly expelling the English, and
ascending the throne of Ireland : but what
after this unwary and bfack discovery could
his views be to me? A thousand dangers
were pressing upon my soul, and a thousand
projects floating in my brain : I had hardly
temper or recollection to methodize any ;—
while he continued to charm himself with
the disclosure of all his vanity and ambi-
tion, hatred and horror nerved my heart
with courage to execute a strange design^
the desperation of such a moment alon'e
could have suggested. G^nyinced, by the
tenor of his discourse and conduct, that I
could escape his licentious purposes only
by feigning an intention of yielding td
them, I smoothed my agonized features
into » smile which almost stiffened to a
convulsion, and complained of thirst — -a
glass of water stood by, of which I drank
— ^inclination no , less than gallantry, made
him insist on pledging me ; but refusing

7* THE UECliiS, Sec.

to giv^ him the water withoot wine, X>
mixed it with an officiooftoess perhaps bot^
loo obvious, adding the whole qua&titj
of laudanum provided for oijseif. The
baste aiid tremor attending so dangerous a
transaction, might well have excited dis«
ti'iist in liim at anytime^ much nu^re. at
such a crisis; but not in a condition to*
observe very strictly, and delighted with ^
condescension on my part alike .new and
unexpected, in a transport of gallantry he
dropt on his knees, and uniting my name
with his own, cemented both with that of
blipphiess; that long loist blessing seemed
tp tremble bacji into my heaft as be eagerly
swallowed the beverage. Sleep had before
hovered over; his eyelids ; it was now fore-
run by stupefaction^ The hom* of rest ar-
rived ; but^ilie women who usually slept in
tli€ outer tent came not nei^r it— I could
not doubt but that their absence was owing
to the previous orders given by the Geuei^^
s^d falling on ?ny knees, entreated him
who armed the Assyrian with coiirarge vo-.
luntarily to dare the skuation into which J
wafi brought unconsentiogi to bear me.

THE HECESS, &C. 78

boldily and safely through Jt. A fortitade
etjaal to the danger seeined to spring from
the address and the occasion. — ^Tiie regi-.
mental doak Tiroen had thrown off on enf
tertiig served to cover ray masculine hahit,
which I resumed with expedition : it was a
cloak so remarkable, and familiar to every
eye in the camp, as almost to ensure my
safety, i overweighed my throbbing tem-
ples wkh bis warlik-e plume, and finally,
drawing from his 'finger a signet to produce
if necessary, I boldly grasped his dagger
to decide my ffeite should 1 be di^covered^
and issued fdrbh a second Judith.

I had warily marked the progress of the •
»ight ; the last 'Watch had now gone by, ari(|
the time was past when it was probable aijiy
officer should be stirring of note enough
to address the General. 1 had h^ard Ti-
roen sajr it was his common practice to walk
the camp at night, and in that confidence
ventured to pass for him. Scar^^e had I
gone a hundred paces when the homage of
the centinels assured s^e that the counter-
feit was Aindiscovered.

yoL. in. c

9^ T4iz B£<:hs«6| ^iCk

With an agitated beaii; I f)&96e(l ft-^6m
one .io.aiiad)er> guided o^ly by 4he diit^^iit
ligbt3 (for Tiraen always > ptAcfaed his-c^QEip
<^aahij<l) till near the sAvaiiC^ ^lurd: i
then Tetked bebiad a ki^^e t^ty aud di»«
r^bijiigianysielfof tbeir Genefal-s adcwlr^
ipeotfly put, on a ccttamon bat I bad cajfcied
&fru tbal purpose *2*-wb#t weape. wjr tcirrw*
^bea bavitig i}eafibed lbe.<Hii»fi|its of ^b&
caoip,., naiv;. doikhly watebed> ^ X pm^enfeeil
tb^ aigaet as a pjx>ef tbftt I irai sedt cili>
eat'xieift busing, r The gijiai^ h^silated^ bulk
aft^r ..tfidi<Hi4j H^^bS'f^i vfidh^ I. >iil^iift
through toi'tur^: they judged it ptr^deatta
adttit a tobeii 'whicdi .i^ae; coiild have da-
s^jiodut^to i^^tisMS^ iBad I #6^ suffered
l^/pass.;

£ 1^0$ )«b:e £ia arrows fi^ilki a^ bow mhiUi
OD^e $befi<$ dr«4ded liipitte t^xe overleaped^
so^ce 4afii]^ to addrea$ .my ver j soul te
h^ayeo^ kst olie lost jnomejat -^ould :uiii*;
dl^.^se,. "v .

^ Wb^lribef my ejres bad dccbimedme 'mAe

my^trambliBg and ungtoibd ieci bad wallet

d«jped nride of' it^, I knew not 4 but ftorely
were they blister/sd ere I^ppr]Oa(;^hed ks ]i«-
HMts— pieirciog tbwMgh tbiickete w;bioh tore
$Jike my gam&eQt^ and my flesh, with fl|H^
riU faioting even to dead}> I auddefily b^atd
a secrut give the wftch* word 4a finglisfa^
Ove^ojed to thiaJc myself 8afe> i i^tihappily
waBted preseiiioe of Htiqd'to' pronounce I.
jingle 4iyUahle> * and the officious solctiei:
mistakiag me for a epy, levelled hi3 fHece^
aiid instantly : pierced - «ky fiide^-<My E^riU
were no longer equal to contending wit&
danger, or with death^aAd the fearof d4s«>
cove^y being tiae pcev^liag«4$ent]me^t.of
my s»^, i. feebly €Oo^4ired the maa^ if hr« .
bqped icHT ^pardon^ to 4>6ar'me 4o the t^nt of
the Lord ^^puty. The delicacy of mf
cossfpklxkkn and clptbe^ iiad ahfesidy 8iiu:*>
furified the isiadverta&t soldier-^ho qaiekljf
^^Hd together sodife of hi% ^olii{>anie»»%
¥^0 agisted m Is^ingmfe on^a hftvdle^ and
bearing me toward the teitt<»f EdseiS'. The
/tDb^niog Aif as adow brdke^-^ tow tlie 43^rly^
iMiam^'of 'the jHkiLie«iiUafc<:toti^ golden on*^
Siwmkja 'df t]ie .G>m«al'« ten^-^^^soaxe dfi»-
;e 2

76 tHE RECESS, &C.

cers came out of it as I- approached.— My
heart, from which life seemed every mo-
ment ready to issue^ made a courageous ef-
fort to collect into itself the scattered prin-
ciples of a being I appeared on the very
point of resigning, i fancied ere Essex
yet spoke, I beard the voice so dear to me —
I fancied } ah, I indeed saw him rush for-
ward on the first hint; biit, root-bound as
it were, he stopped before he came to me,
and sent his very soul forth in -a groan.—
^' Yes, Essex,^* cried I, extending my feeble
hand, '^ the wretch heaven did not allow to
live in thy arms, is blest with its next in-
dulgence in being permitted to die there."
— ^But how shall I describe the tearful
transports, the toiiching agonies "of his re-
covered intellects ! I sunk under the keen
ecstasy of the moment, and long faintingi
succeeded, occasioned by my loss of blood,
that once ' more brought me to ^he very
rergeof the grave.

The amiable Lady Southampton came
at the instance oJP her cousin, and gnve, by
herpretencej a decoruln to B^y" situation it

th£ recess, &c. 77

had long wanted. Every effort of art
was exerted to sooth my broken spirits,-'
aod strengthen my exhausted franie. He,
who alone could give efficacy to medicine,
hovered ever near, and when speech was
interdicted^ by. affectionate looks sustained
me.— Ah, how pleasant were even these
sufferings.! how delightful was it to collect
back into my heart those gentle impulses
war and terror had driven from their home !
r-to affiance my soul in silence to its only
Lord, and to fancy that whatever fat«
heaven should hereaft^ ordain him, mine
could no, longer he divided from it !

As soon as my amended liealth allowed,
Centered into a detail of all that bad passed
since Lord Essex left me at St. Vincent's
Abbey. He in return informed me, that the
lethargy into which Tiroen was plunged by
.the laudanum J. had so hastily administered,
was very, near being fatal to him, as the
ntmosi effort of care and medicine could
only preserve him the faculty of breathing ;
since to disturb his deep. and unwholesome
slumbers always^ threw him into a danger^
E 3

tS ^ THE Rsexss, &'C;

au8 delk}H», The courageous .^fibrt bjr
fvbid^ I iuui recovered my liibeHfjr^ ii4i{
9dded,,stiU foMsed tbe whole €^
0£ ; botih eaB»pt. i blessed, lb? aw£iii powef
who aai^ed lae^tke ^iit.ef tnuid^ing^even
a.villaiQ) aaddid iK>t ij»aie(|kt^lj^ r«na«h
thai Essex gave mo 110 f^th^ infomatioii%
I too soon, h&wefe^jr> leaiwl fr«m Ladrp

sought tohidfehrrrthai Elizabeth, kad: mmmsi*
laatiy iiiy«^ hii]» to pnosecote a hqm wbkh
kia fears fe« lae h«d: hiljicirto susptiMked; bii4
taidmg an ktig«k iiM bo«h itUBpeatifit aai4
commandsiwttiifrldsb upon hina^^ho.atleiigiiil
gr«v. cold Slid disgwted^. ]£s^liritodt in
£2glaiid» had giif«n*hiiB but loo muok lea^
sott to beUisv6» thati his^ eftonliss we»e ^a^
duallj^Birqliiphi^ ib6> dsoMdliney ia hef
k/aait,, h«* a^ gmdimity loslr ;• shiee ^r ber fh^
VonKft wttiia> kiV4sb«di on- Stv Wailcff Raleigh^
die house of <4:€cil, a^ the- B«:l of Nets
^ 1»Aghfiiny » paity wkabad tong" medUatedf
khd dawii£al^ Busoh and Sou Aai&ptoD>. o#
nrlociv they tkow spoke -aa^ » eerlaifity ; ati^
Ibat e¥ra>th# eottimott people behekl wilk

THE RECESS, ft6, 79

•Asconteni! the slow ^ifogresis of ftis war 8i
Ireland, nor could' Essex any longei de-
pend' upon popularity. J *,
The unguardied friend who made me thfc
ireciifjd^ engrossed by her own share in it,
forgot how it interested me. I called tb
mini the^ hi'formation sent by *5ftroeil fo
•Elizabeth, which but too well accounted -
dfef the Queen's Migctt' and disgust, anii
teonceived 'nt onqe all rts probaWe consi^-
^uences. Esseix, unlike all other favowritelS,
could neveir be brought to fenoW any cleiiJi
te strperiprity but merit^-^-incapable of
tfio^e little art* by which mean souTs attagh
the insicSous train of sycbphknts a^ Court
always abounds with ; he had €l\^er scorned
a partial inonppoly,^ and politic 'dtstributioa

of posts and places. ^The mercenary

wretches, who hail bowed tb ^im in vani>^
paid their court to his enemies with mbjie
'success, and instifticted by them in everjj ,
Weakness of the favourite; wfere ever ready
to strengthen any prejudice the Q.ueeh
might conceive against him^ A thousand
fears incident to age aftd decaying power
r4

so , THE RECXSS, &€.

were thus chjerisbed in her> which magnified
by passions time itself could never aUay^
itlight too probably stamp the base -^intelli-
gence of Tiroen with the fatal authority of
unbiassed truths and give to the inaictivity
of Essex the appearance of treason. — Such
a train of circumstances could hardly fail
to stagger a mind in full possession of the
noblest and most impartial judgment; what
then might we not fear from a Sovereiga
always influenced by prejudices each passing
day strengthened, by insensibly impairing
her reason? Fortunately, through an ex-
travagance of dotage which almost punished-
the errors of her youth, those prejudices
had hitherto united in his favour: — ^yet
while I perceived but a single chance against
him my soul shrunk from the idea of en-
trusting his life with her.

To give Lord Essex the opportunity of
vindicating himself to Elizabeth I resolved
to account for her conduct; and divulged
to him the inadvertent acknowledgment
made by Tiroen, during our last memorable
interview, of his own perfidy aad dissimu-

THE HECESS, &C. SI

lation. A generous scarlet burnt on the
jcfaeek of Essex while he execrated the trui-
tor ; but struck immediately with a full
conviction of the consequences that might,
result from thjs base intelligence, he sud-
denly formed the extraordinary resolution of
returning to England to justify bis honour.
This determination . no less shocked than
surprised me; far from imagining my in-
formation would lead^to so wild^a project,
I rather supposed it would* suggest to bim
the impossibility of ever revisiting England^
unless the reduction of Ulster was fully ac-
complished. In truth^ I dared not co^«>
fess my fears that even then to remain with
the army alone could ensure his safety.-^
livery reason! could urge^ or Southampton
enforce, were however in his judgment
feebler than his own — his honour was
picqued, and nothing could hinder hiui
£rom vindicating it. — Persuaded that a step
as bold as this alone would convince Eliza-
beth of his innocencej. and accustomed to
regain^ whenever he appeared^ that in6u-
ence over her, his enemies had often en-
£ 5 croaclicd

Moaciied oa in^bis^altoefice^ b^ asrared4l|il^
sieFf be B^ed oiiljr b«' 8«eft to^ tnuoipfay mi

* Tb^ prkk a| sex > 9M»biKty> smd Kotioiirj
0ot>teiKl«dt with- Ibe kfiMtHig» pttssioftr of Hiy
I2«ture> and ia«ghfeBae(6dU»)ftli>e\EeV'-rtt]tDg
Ikim ¥ eotikl'iic^ eoBTiifce :-^neteirtkdess^ I
«*tt(ist? sufilt titidet the confifct,*— The firight^i.
ftil sitaation m which I had' been placed
^nce mr amv&i' in Ireland, made me ob^
stinately raftise to continue Aere wbcnevet
Bfeex should leave it^ and the curiosity I
had excited afike by my bold escape and
woutidy made ithazardoud' to commit me tcr
the charge of any officer lefb behind; Sur-
rounded with friends, relations:, and dfe*»
pendents, Etsex (such is the painfuV uncer-*-
' tainty ever Jittending on derated rank>knew
not one to whom he« eould safely entrust sol
delicatie a earei The generous Sbiith*^
ampton, determined' to i^are Aefate of be^
fttend by eveompanyin^ bim, propofied^
to unite that' of bir lUdy witii minei by^
$bipping ur off ere they embarked^ with

^ffR^ RECESS^ 8ce. 9^

iH'vatiis thVjr shouM mutually s^eAt; api
parentlj bound- for Prancfe, but in feet fb^
ilfkt «oasfc of Cumberldnrf. In the tidst w^
mantic and soKfary part of ikai vemote
county the Wriotheskya bad Idng owned
a castle, Mfherer mafice itself wouM hardly
seek, and certainly neVer find us;, there-
he assuretf Eksex we might repose in peace,
till' they should return again to Ireland^
P feh all the merit of this project, by
wfiiich the aminbte Southampton robbed
Himself of the dtear society of hrs wifi*,
isqprely to do honour to the beloved* oT
bis firiend; and adapted it with the ut-
most eagerness, from the hope that if the
Busy transmitters of Lord Essex's actions-
bad ever mentioned ihef, this total sepa-
ration would extinguish all jealonsy in the
mind of Elizabeth; who I knew would
much sooner overlook the toss of an amiy
Aaa his- heailtv ' . ' ^

Although £ssex kneV not how to plaie

me happily in Ireland, it was with pain ite

Vorisehted to my quitting it; but finding

me obstinately partial to Lord Southamg*^

M.6

S4> TH£ &£C£$S, &C«

ton's ^esign^ he proposed my resuming
iay masculine disguise^ and selected a
vessel whose captain was devoted to him^
Iraving ordered a lighter one to be prepared
ioi himself.

So sad a presentiment shivered my soul
on the morn appointed for our embarkation^
that it was the utmost effort of my princi-
ples to suffer £^ex to acl in conformity to
his. I had previously insisted that he should
sail at the same moment with myself, to end
^y fear$ of that formidable savage Tiroen;
and when he entered my chamber to con-
duct me to the ship^ my heart quivered on
lips which had no longer the power to utter
a syllable. — He besought, he conjured me,
to support my sinking spirits : '',the high'eift
hopes/' he added, with an air^of sincerity,
'^ elevated his own ; that it had always been
his pride, his pleasure, to deserve the distinc-
tions lavished on him by the Queen ; and
whatever yiews he had formed when heaven
should call her hence, he could not resolve
even by ingratitude, much less treachery,
to shorten her days who bad crowned hia

THE RECESS, &C. 85

^ with gTory. Doubt not," continaed he, " my
i love, but I shall recover all my influence,

and remember ^en next we meet it is to
part no more/'

Ill-omened seemed that sentence to
pe— I fancied too his voice sounded hol-
low — ^I fancied ! — alas, every . dire chi*
mera sensibility presents to an impassioned
heart, took full possession of mine; yet,
as to ex6rt the least influence at so trying
a -moment was to render myself account-
able for his future fate, I opposed every
ennobling sentiment to an ungovernable
passion, and heroically resigned him up to
his duty. '

. We quitted the port at the same instant;
he steering ibr that nearest the Irish coast,
I for the North of England. — Both by
consent remained on the, deck with souls
fixed on each other, till the beloved indivi-
dual vanished,«nd the vessel seemed an object,
only less dear; that at length diminished to
a cloudy the cloud shrunk to a speck, and
the speck became invisible. — I threw myself
i , on my bed, and, giving way to the tears
. 1 had hitherto stifled, 1 besought the Al-

/

98 *fME RBC^XiefiSj &CV

CTompassioii badf' induced' Essest fo eonsent
to our taking oh boar4 an old oftcier who had.
beei^ desperately wdtoHlcidl "The intense
sieiknesfl produced by the ^ment^ causcfd hik
Mwfinds'to open, wBtch oHiged nsto pnt
l^k &n<£ land him, oi sacrifice hre life to out
eeiivemence ; and this unforeseen dielayexv
fos^ us to a calamity a& lasting as it w^as^
grtevousF.

Launched a second time on those rest-
Ifess sttfges to which alone I could compare
toy own pertairbed soul, the next day
Wougfat the comparison still liearer — a
dreadful tempest arose, nor were we withioi:
leach of any port. The enraged and howl-
ing winds drove the vessel at pleasure a
th<Hisand times sidelong into the deep,., and-
Ihe impetuous and foaming wav^s threw it

tip again with eq^ual violence. We re-

toained stupified with terror ; shut down with
our women in the cabin, the rapid motions*
and cries of the seamen,, the- tremendous-
cracks and groans of the vessel,.united witti
the warring elements toma&e that fate ia-*'

t

THE. mi€W8, kt. W

^fMfifiaremy mind fef the Impeding cfeuU
I> howe^peiF'i^ecoHeelcd> with due gratitude
*o* heaven, tb^t the light vessel m which
SiMex sftikd> had! dk^i^btless made a near
f£fi^, ere die ^lomi begaBj and: Winded him
» safety.

1 pondered once more on. that wonder-.
ftil character I had so often considered. I
saw> however strong the predominant;
fiwhle of Eord Esses:, it still gave way to rec-
titude ; and fearful the passion which led him^
tOHsards me might one day affect his shfety,
1 bent to the awftil God who thus in t^un^
der called away its weak and helpless object;
not without admiring the singularity * of
that destiny, which by interring me in the
oc^n, secured the forged death and funeral
I had published for myself, from ever being"
difcovered.

Strengthened, if not consoled by these
ideas, I sought to cheer nfy no less sifffcr*
ing friend; who injecting alike food and
comfort, resigned herself wholly up to sick-
ness, faintings, and sorrow.— Ah, who shaft
•ay we suffer in v*in! the feehngs of the

88 ^H£ RECESS, &C«

soul^ like the organs of sights gain-strength
by tise^ till we dare to analize that fate we once
coutd not have ventured to consider; while
tlie refined and exquisite sense of mental
anguisrh^ which renders us superior to com-
inon evils^ often gives an apparent sublimity
to efforts which are little in our own esti*
mation.— Lady Southampton, yet distin-
guished by nature, fortune, love, clung to
those rich possessions, and slirunk from the
awful immortality which threatened every
moment to take place of them, while I, ac-
customed to calamity, saw in death only its
termination.-— She listened to me with won-
der, and this instance of fortitude impressed
her mind with a reverence for my character
time could never obliterate,

Tlie sudden abatement of the storm con-
tributed little to our safety; as the ship,
ill^^alculated for such a conflict, had bulged
upon a rock, and now filled so fast with
water., that th^ utmost diligence of the crew
could hardly save us from sinking.— The
sight of land, ere the evening closed, had
scarce power to cheer for a moment wretches
who no more hoped to behold the daWning

THE RECESS, &C. 89

of 'the morn.— To the uproar and tirrbuleace
of the storm a silent horror and desniatioa
had now succeeded dcarce less shpckiiig.
Midnight was hardly turned ere a dismal
universal cry informed us that the Vessel was
linking.— r Lady Southampton threw her arms
helplessly round me, and the unprincipled
part o£ the crew, bursting into our cabin,
increased the horrors of the moment by
opening our coffers, and gathering together
their most valuable contents : an officer fol«*
lowed, who taking our hands in silence, led
us toward the deck : — two boats were now
preparing— -the last melancholy hope we had
of existence. — ^I'be captain, who happily
owed every thing to Essex, informed us,
that as the larger boat had the better chance,
he had fixed on placing us in that ere the
scattered crew could collect, and by pressing
too numerously rob us of our last hope.—
We were conveyed into the boat while be
was yet speaking, but the sailors so impe<«
tuously follovyed, regardless of the captain's
remonstrances and co;nmandd, that our
danger seemed hardly diminished by the
■jrempval. — The change nevertheless eqcqu*

99 T>t£ EKCSSS^ &C.

sapped eueb; iadrndqal to a& exerlviM* ftom
ifibeoiM thtr g^neia]} 9alel^ was^ascerti^edi.
j^ad^urely eaireloped^ ia the. only wateh-coai
irJbaclt bad been, taken from the wrecks JLady
SkMitbamptott. and myself (who wene tfae
wiy wxNaen saaieA) koefr bob by the v<Motft
o£ oiix friywpaiiioos \idi«lhe9 life OF deotlt
nm tB k»( ejcpectti- the afta ran- htgb> aftf
tjie gM^t dbWApMseMed to a«. ei^«r ejrea
a^cMjifi^ wilted fi(^ were iflrfeinxied vaalliiit
aii Seodisnid> at bo gf^f^ dittence^ an iM
^tW appeaped^^ o& a sharp pmjeetioti of th^
iMd^ whose 9olk( battieinettta seemed! prod;
agmast eir^ry attack of art and nature; bui:
Ibe skoal^^ roclra, and sudV that ioterrehed^,.
tlH'eatened to make il» ever beboM' it at a
hopeless distance^ tmless we could itftefrest
the compassioi!! of kis owners;

Every signal of dtstres^ was made fblp
hours apparently in vap, till the turn 6f
Ae tide r when two fishing-boats appeared,
sliDwly working their way towards U6, A
diiscordant shout of jby &U the part of our
companions split' the ears of my sick friend
told self, who inly worshipped the, power
Iha^ preserved us. — The benevolent sttang?r$»

THE RECESS, ficC, 91

^}^jr&aohed» ami their g«ri> no less thaa uti'-
km>icii^ langufige porod^im^^ them nativeK
p/ the ScottiBk coast. 7^ the men- aFOHfi4
Us..44hiBy oBexi&i ^scttsts and whiskey in aban*-
daojoe^ astd bestowed da -me aini Lady
Sfiut^£Kiiptcm adiaughtof eoM water^ which
fSfUD^ a»muoh more, refreshing asitwai
M^ioeeBi.

RoTiTed by- 4u€^nne?ppeeted rcvohitrmn. iii
ow ihte* we .by-jdint consent shook oflr the
heavy wj^tch-'ceeflj trhich had a litde saved
vsAposi, the ittcessent spray of the e»raged
9^1^ ami when th4 boat wafs at length drawii
tdinrards the fliglH of rude steps leading to th6
easlli^ we both quitted H witfr noless celerity
Iban thankAilnessr.-^i»^ progress was for a
SKyttent imped^cP by -isiirprise-^at the ^ate
^ life castfe stood twtr behrgs who seamed
•f . some superior ordter ; so strangely was I
^nd^ with their dtess, beauty, and beqe-i
▼olence.-^A yottth tod bis sister waved ui'
1k>wards' them with graceftil coaitesy.-^
riie tatter wore a Hght vefst and coat of Scots
f^laidj with a belt- of green sattfn clasped
With goW; the rmfc wind had carried off
the covering of her hair; and caused her

pit THfe RECESS, kC.

long anburik locks to stream oit the bosom
of the mornings exposing to view hep slight
ancles half booted^ and irngiiig ber cheeks
with that pure cold colour^ yooth^ healthj
innocence, and heaven, alone can give,—
The youth, who m featates strongly re-
sembled his sister^ was habited as a hunter,
with a spear in bis hand, and a dagger hang-r
ing in his belt.-*-Both with ttuiles of hospi-
.tality ran forward to receive ui; and wlule
the young lady took the arm of my friend,
the youth with aa impassioi^ pleasure
shook my hand^ casting a look of mingled
wonder and disdain at the soiled, though
rich habiliments I had on; which indeed
originally rather agreed with my own sex
than that I intruded upon. The antique
faall into which they conducted us was hung
with tat^red banners, mouldy coats of arms,*
and every proud remnant of war and an-
cientry. Refreshments suitable to our past
distress were busily set before us, nor, wi.th
that intuitive politeness superior minds al-*
ways possess^ did either venture to express a
curiosity till they bad frankly satisfied our'a.
•^From tb^m we learot that the, spot fortune

THE RECESS, &C. 95

had threwn ys upon ^as an island on tlie
coast 6f Scoltand^ and ibe place which shel-
tered iis> Dornoek Castle^ held by the Laird
^of -that name ;^ that they were brother and
ftisler to (hat Laird^ who was now absent
on afamHy eoncern of no small moment;
in fibort^ that their elder sister^ M abel^ famed
through the country for her beauty, having
unfaiippily shewn it at Court, the King
would not suffer her to return ; and their
brother, fearful she should yield to his licen-
tiou6 wishes, had hastened thither to claim
her. The young people who made this art»
less recital were formed to^race it— when
the fair Phoebe spoke of the charms of her
sister, her own wfereheightened-by a softer^
fuller bloom ; and when she mentioned their
dangerous effect, the proud blush of a ge-
nerous shame gave manliness to the features
of her brother Hugh.— ^—Accustomed as
my friend and self had long been to every
worldly charm and advantage, we saw in
this remote spot, and these untutored chil-
dren of nature^ a simple and noble graee art
ionly refines away.

When it came to my turn to narrate, I

^ tut »£C£69^ ^<^

iiscd ev^y artifice ti^guard i^ajast ^ {io»*
IxbiitjT . of dim^r,«<-->-AdQptii^ ^tbe 9«ine
l4ulj Sotttbampton bf34..1«a^ : quilted^ I
called anjjelf Ve^noii; a youlb ^mf^^yiBd
jjtUl late]^ «s a|ia^e in the trala of 4ibQ^il
of Eftsex^ and iM>wtus<8eofel»fy<^^ile4adf
«Kuth:me» I fiaid, alU^ to 4be fia'ii of Soatb:
4ua]^iaDi was lately wedded 4o me; aad^th
wca^ followii^g iti^se ttoblenM wk^t arep-
|2dcen by the tempest wttich bad 4hro«ta as
jppoa their alMKe^ .aad rend^ied |i94dbloilt
%o their humanity. Finding. we ^came firam
J;ba aent of war, aad were coaver^tit with
the Court of Eagland^ th^&y both asked fr
ihousaad various <}iiesti0iM» Miitablk to thdr
sadr> ag!e> and suij^licifcy:! ^espeoiiBg the Ofie
«ud the olher; ^Ad our descrif^tiolis *€<to*
piised to 4^^m every ohturm of laagtti&cencls^
glory, audvgaiety.

; The h^ppy device of ^a intended tniU>
i;iag4e enaUiiag lae ;to ^hare the chamber of
jLady Southatfq^toi^ We chose dbe hour trf
jtsticemeiit to ocMMider ourfurotesi aitaataoii^
a«d iheiTuodeiaodt fikefy kxvcsloreut osiie
more to the country and. cowieictkitia fir«ni
tfl^k the »toim haglaepawrtod;u sg . ftt i i ^M y

SrkviA justly it^iitarJked^ tbttt tbe >^aiiort
wifcched. i¥«^ n9> «»d J4s nitiiv^s^ m4re HU
itiefiec^ iiMy ko visit tUs remote «&d*9oUv
lery iale^ attd ihal if w« foiltfd to iake^^
^mutage of Ihe departui^ of 'the«fast wtt
4ioay thnw ^urnelvcd wlbolly upon theige*
-t^^^ of ihe Laird of Doniodk^ of wboit
fihara^te we 'OouMnol venture toideeide
from, 4bd6e pf . the luaiidble yotmg pMpie
^» i btt(i so vv«rAtly embraced olir caa«e.«^
Aft#r tike api^iealmiof Qis^ic to my brofehar
m tiif Avoiar 'bad beea reject I had
every Ibing to. fear if any.etrcamstanot
sboidd t>et9ay me into bis power^ and the
. «iricle&t. secrecy on our .ntnies and condi>
tioD alooe ootiIdv|^&<«s a hc^ of liberty |-*^
bowiHidersiiefa T€ls«ri<]fty]tosTveedukl clearly
^kplain OBT proiehi sttaation.to- the two
Bobhmen whom alolw it concerned, neithor
of us could discerver:; oeventheless^ fieces^
^ty obUged *m toeof«e to fs^mereeokiiion ;
aad ^eisaadad. Ihat Itbe writing, ^f eac)i
Mukibe kfiovfnio him to whom %he letter
w»addre0sed> weaty as we both, weiei a
part of ti«e night wan sp^nfc in jpi-feparing
two epistJi68«£Dr tfa^»iloc8t6:bfinTey.««^Tfad

96 TKE ItECES*, &C.

moraiog came, and with it the mortifying
information that we were a few hours too
late; the men $ave4 with us having hired a
fishing-smack, in which they sailed away at
the turn of the tide : nor did its owner know
their destination till the vessel returned. I
was not without an idea that our j'outhful
protectors had voluntarily concealed so ma-
terial an event in the hope of detaining us;
hut certainly had that really been the case.
It was not half so inexcusable as our own
imprudence and neglect.— We hired a boat
to pursue them with the letters, but after
several days spent in painful expectation
the packets were returned to us, with the
mortifying information that all inquiry had
proved fruitless. We had now no resource
bui in the generosity of the liaird of Dor-
nock, and endeavoured to fortify ours^ves
with patience to watt his return.

Tlie youthful brother and sister expressed
a generous concern for our situation; but
wholly without power, they could do no
more.^**-Pjjsoners at large, as we were, effec-
tually bounded by the roaring ocean, and
dependipg solelfon contingencies for free^

THE hecess, &c. !97

tlom,. the days to U9 crept heavily away— I
sometimes remembered with a sigh that I
{Was in Scotland^in the kingdom where by
interitance I might claim a rank that^ would
enable me to decide my own fate, had» npt a
combination of events, fore-running ^ eveii
my birth, made every advantage of iFortime
end nature alike useless tomei I endea-^
tv^oured to discover the realcbaracterof ihek
<King,.buteven frdm the report of his friends^
to be able to term it good I was obUgcd to
think it weak; and in that crtse knew he
•would inevitably be surrounded by aftfal
^politicians, ready to profit by his foible; ia
: short; I found that, however n^ar he ted I
•were allied In blood, we were bom to l>e
distinct beings in creation, and to meet
would endanger the safety of the weakeif.
»Wben I turned nty anxious soul t(%wiir4
Englisind it brought me no relief. — ^As fac
from the reach of intelligenoe as if in the
wilds of Arabia, I in vain «^ught to discover
the reception Essex had met .with at Court.
—That name, which in the vanity of my
heart I often thought the * world .refunded

VOL.. III. F

ifH THJE lt|SCE9f, fcC.

iKilfa^ 1[ fomid^ with checked plide^ m^
idMTO^ly kpowB in aq a^aceftt oeimlrj till
«iylif9«049ftea repeated U; janderenitlMii
JRHOH uxiQiii to oUige me, those of otfaere
i>9ljr ei^o^ the foitad sq ikar> so bdomdJ
I h%d hnii too iDttdi-i<eaflOB to fcsr dovbtgof
wy safety vooU oiakie him cMnel^s m£ Us
4^iiji and ofjteii woidd hatse lesipiod eveiy
l^fiflMmt p»Mpect fw^ ever spcoad be^MK
m^ U^ asoer^Q ti)^ life 0! the £afl. Too
)ate I cegretM tlpe pt i(k <^ bf ait which hail
ffi^ jfm J^st tUe fleiiiFe li fclt to detaia
Mm in lieia«d ; aiid could qot h»t $dlmtmt
Msf^ H wad rather th«t than prin^^e whiidi
fopM^d me IP bi» dvpartmte; yet im a
i^na/tmi 90 dalica^ a» out^s, to wish ^m to
|)099inaod; acid the saoriftee his own loul did
JIM diotat<^ wine dtadained to soggesi.

My miod now daily passed throagh such
% ehiios of ideas and emoiiona as would have
piavantad the time frimi appearing tedious
had not it& pndongation be^n the origin of
jttost of them.

Often aitttiig on the rude battlements of
die nastila^ white the snjrges beat ag^init

T«t£ R£C£8S, kO. S$

ibeir bage^ bave I taped tfie lute of Pb^ebf ^
and while she warbled a few wild airs of in*
conceivable melody in a language unknown
to me, mj full soul has wept over the ipjf*
.terious fate of mj stater .T-Ah^ how etejis
it to be unknown ! — to be entombed aUvie 1-^^
If Ij even in a civilized adjacent ki|igdaoi>
in effect the country of sdl my anoegtonj
can be thus helpless^ what may the poor
Matilda have been ? ■ ■ T urnj busy imar
f ination^ from the fatal supposition.

The oversight we had committed in suf-
fering the sailors to leave us became every
day more and more regretted. — Lady South-
ampton soon found herself in a situation
that reqnired the tenderest indulgence^ antf
would forbid removal, even if our asylum
sbou}d be traced by anxious love. We speqt
our lives in fretting^ |i|id b%d we not po%r
.sessed an unlimited iutiii^H^y I Jkh.now n^ 1|§9
we should hav^ endaiad the; incessanlt
>cbagFin*-^Deprived ev^ of the nnui^
resources; a scanty library^ a lute^ somp
rustic aiis, and a pedigree as old as the
crefftioaj boupdod the possessions ^pi^ know^

100 THE RtCESS, &C.

. ledge of our young friends, and could not
» add any thing to onr own.
' The Laird of Dornock, however, returned
' At last.-^Ah, how unlike his gentle kindred !
• — pWegmatic, self-willed, crested, and im-
'perioud, his aspect presented a correspon-
dent harshness ; and we instantly felt - it
Vain to rest a hope on his friendshfp : he no
'doubb* reproved his brother and sister for
'having lived on such familiar terms with
strangers, avowedly subordinate; and though
he* often made us sensible our company was
^a burthen, he took not a single step to re*
•lieve himself from it. Phoebe had begun
to improve -herself in music ere his arrival;
it was his pleasure that she should continue
to do so; but his presence threw a coldness
»and constraint over the whole party, which
made what I once thought a relief an incod-
ceivable toil. The ingenuous noble girl
•saw her brother's insolehce • with a' grirf
. which prevented her from profiting by the
lessons so much desired — her gushing tears
-would often relax the strings of heir lute,
labile low-warbling tales of hopeless love,

Tlii: RECESS, &c/ Wh

and her sad eyes fix themselves on mine
with an expression too- strong to be misun-
derstood. I perceived while unconscious of
the danger, because possessed with the re-
membrance of my own disguise,' that I had
Won the gentle heart I only sought to form.:
Circumstanced sTs I was, this could not but.
be a dangerous acquisition ; and by a fatanty
yet more alarming, her elder brother soon-
ofter became enamoured of Lady Southamp-
ton; nor did he conceal that inclination— ^
he had from his arrival regarded me with an
eye that indicate doubt on the subjedt of',
our marriage; but the increasing size od^
my friend, and our habit of living together/
appeared to controvert a suspicion which'
nevertheless remained in his mind.

Anxious to profit by the ohlyhour in the
day which could favour his views, he wasi
obliged to give the advantage, he sought,'
and permit me to teach his sister with no
other guard than bis younger brother, Hugh,-
while he passed the interval, with Liidy^
Southampton. — All equally rejoiced at an*
JHicident all had Equally desired ; as to my-*'

F 3 ^

109 TUB RECESS, &C.

wAf, deiermiiied from the^ moment I Bad
beai convinced of the passion of tbe fair
Phcebe lo aeize the first opporttinity of in-^
tr«6tiilg her with my disgni^^ ere shame for
the mistake should disgust her with tbe ob-
jeei> I wa& not sorry .to confide it to her
younger brother: as, if it did not more at-
tach him to my interest, it would at least
obtiate ^very fear be might entertain on ^
hJi^iHSterV accouftt, wfaoai be eovAi th^
■ailtly leaveat any time. TbLi juirt candour
]|>f«doced mcfre eonse^mitees than ohd. The'
iwe6iPbed[)e started, bloshed, and first liiW
ing her avifimming eyes towtird heaven, slie
^n eovered tbem with her bands-^when I
Q^aM^ to speak she timoroualy raised them
to my face.— *^ A}x ! why had you iaot been-
Ifate sincere at first F' cried the generous
girl^ ^^ tbe power was then in our band»— '
mn;^* — she shook her head, and in that
emphatic gesture strongly finished her fan*'
perfifct speech* Abrmed and anxious,!
oonjilrisd ber to confide to me those reasona
which made our situation in her opinion so
hopeless. She could not resist my en*

fmiCies ; and tt length fSKikn(mMgtfi, ^ that'
ftom the moment her eider broCher retnmedj'
Hogh no' less fehan herself bad observed a
baiightiftess and severity in his «r and hm*
^nage more forbidtRng than nsnal; at last
they had discovefcd that their sister^ Mabe!^
far from lisienmg to rirtne amd the Laird of
l>ornock, hadl yielded to the King; and tcr
j^oteet herself from ber faouly had been
compelled to ptrblhb her sh«m by claimhi^
her royal lover^is proWctioci. To t^oncilir
tbe Larrd of Dontodk to so cnttmg a dis*
grttce 9 title had beeti offered him, with any
post abont the Ckmrt he'sfaould fix on r and-
that M length the fair Mabel had consojeyi
htfrseif for the fbrfeitare of every rational
dhtinctkm by the temporary bononr o^
reigning in the hea^ of ber King> and be-
iHg called a Countesp.** I haquh-ed' with
surprise how an event should aifeet us in
which we apparently h?id no concern f Hugh
cmsweredj '' that his brother, for from ac-
cepting the iq>Iendid coverings offered for
infamy, had retired from Court in great in-
dignation ; that at first they had both been
F 4

104 jn% RECESS, &c.

compelled to iscprn and seturo every letter
and present sent by their sister : yet of late
some view^ inexplicable to them^ had made
a singular alteration in the Laird of Dor*
nock'ssentiuients. — Several couriers bad been
dispatched by him to the favourite Countess,
but that neither their commissions^ nor the
answers^ever transpired ; yet many circum*.
stances had given them reason to conclude
that our pacquetsbad never been forwarded,.
as we were taught to believe. — I changed
colour at the idea of this.delib^ate treachery,
thanking heaven I alone had been informed,
pf it;, as. Lady Southampton, often unable
to govern her feelings^ by some imprudent,
speeph ,wou\d infallibly have betrayed her;
knowledge of it. The young Hugh, ob-.
serving my uneasiness, assured me, " thouglr
hopeless .of finding a faithful messenger, be
held hiiiiself answerable for the release of.
those whom he had contributed to enthrall,
and that I might depend upon his own ser*^
vices if I would deign to confide in him,
nor should we be suspected as the causes of
his disappearance, since the Laird of Dor*,

THE recess; &c/ r05i

nock well knew his sister M&bel's partictilar
fojidness for him^ and would naturally ima-i*
gine that he was. determined to profit by the*

high favour she held at Court/' Is there

a charm on earth so touching as generosity ?
■ The noble youth paused with an air-
that indicated his ardent desire of having
bis offer accepted, lest it should be mistaken^
for a vaimt. I took if hand of each young
f/iend, and returning acknowledgments suit-
able to the occasion^ declined embroiling*
them,' with thdr sullen brother; who could
Bot want power to render our. situation .
much more intolerable, if once he suspected
us of alienating his family from their duty.— — •
t persuaded them, as well asi myself, that
our own friends would with: unwearied drill-
gence search us out the moment they dis-J
covered that any part of the crew survived «
the wreck; of which the Captain would
certainly inform them, unless he sunk with*
the ship. ,. .. « I

* Yet day after day proved this hope vain*
and fallacious.-AA dreary wmter. passed*
away ia this remote Castle, throiigh evnrj>
p 5

Bpeitute of wht6h the keen and liowlii^
wind poured unrestrsuoed; and the wild
oce&Q swelled with freqtienl starit]tft> while
our jftf&ighled senaei often mistook the roar
of the tempest for the gcoans of tli«

I hod almost ceased to hope^ when one
day^ while olilr host was hanting^ I wandered
to the battiemeotfi a» asaal^ and descried
Ifcmi thence a small Tessel iqpproachmg^
better bailt^ and more clean> than Ihoee
i i^as accustomed to see; as it drew nearer
the land, I perceiTed English dreases,— **
Mjr heart took the alarm, I leant iBipati«»
etkTffiettwaitl, straioiiig the kcfen sente whose
iiaflf rfectton I compluned of.— The boat
4xtiir near. I discerned the regimental of
Xssex ; I gave a groan of exquisite deKght,
and reeUng forward should have plunged
into the ocean, had not the young Hugh,
who fltOGid behind, held me fast.«— The ofiieer
looked up, and I instantly perceived him to '
be Henry Tracey, the iavo^te aid'^^cMip
of Laid Bsi0bK,.t>ncebefore deputed insearch
of nie.«-»^sapp<»iitttent mingled with t^

ftFE fUEC^My 8t0* tiff

^ariow an^ inleresting eoMHiotisof Ait m9^
BieDl. — ^I pointect ta the straogef^ riglied;
mA fitinted auraj.

'B^y bore me tO' tadjjr SouthaiDiHoi^
wbo thuDderstrnek ^at seeing^ me lifeless^
and unable to goess the caase, seemed
Utile better herself Kagh^ who dearly
eottiprelieaded Arom my impasMonedt- ge««^
tttre> bow interesting, the lurivd of the
i»tranger was to me^ hastened tor bring biift
to our apartment, while yet bis- bro«
tfier was' absent; when instantly retiring^

he left as fall liberfy ^^ Trac^P^

feried both of us- at onee, ** Essexf^
^ Southampton r' echoed eaeh heart;
*^ sunt up all in a wordv"* — ''They live,**
leiumed lie, '' and need only behold yon t<l
be faappy."^ — ^' Ab, gracious heavw I" cmi
h lifting my eyes thither, while 1 pre*
tented my heart with my hand to the
fiulhfnl messenger, '* receive my tcantporti
we now can Inreatbe freely; give ai ths
relief of knowing the omenta wUch So^U
Wed the drnigerons ^o^ge^ Ifatses aii4
SeuthamptoB.'*'-^' I sboald haidlf d«^«9
P6

jjo 80> had I not first asc^ured you of their
safety," resumed Tracey, ^' for sorrow. I see
has been preying, already on your bloom;
it would not perhaps have been more
spared bad you passed this trying interval ia
lx>Bdon*'V _

', Appreb^nsive every moment: of an inter-:
ruptiou from the Laird of Dornock, we be-
M^ght the worthy Ti*acey to dispense with
all preface, and hasten his recitaU
^./^: WiMi terror and anxiety," contkju^d
Jie, '' I followed my Lord into the vessel se-?
lected us conveyhimbonie, nor were these
einotioi)s diminislied when I perceived jthe
Lord. Deputy fi^ll of fits of doubt and /e-
fl^ptipn, which at times were. obvious even
to bim^lC; often would he aflfect to dfpwn
th^m in gay society and wine, and, for the
first titne in bis Ufe> he assumed-a false bra-
^efy. — At the hours of retirement, far from
indulging that intii^acy so long established
betw^n . him alid Lord SoutbamptOQ, of
which I badsometiOEies be<$nagratefuLand
)^iimWepwti»ktr, he;SUBk into an abseots^.of
Wiid# iL^d JtQti»l .silence, no less, alariQ.iixg to

THE .RECE«|, &Ci . 103

bis beloved f Head than my«elf; in effect^
that nobleman saw that h^ had ' set hisforA
tune on a cast, ^nd he mould stand tltc:
hazard of the die/ as I conjectured by his
turning to.inc one day, and, by an expres-^
§ive motion of hisi head, leading mine
towards the side of thg vessel, where the
pener^l leant; his thougluful coantenaiice
appfirently fixed on those rolling waves

which yet perhaps he saw not. ' AH i&

na^, well in the heart of thy Lord, Tracey,'
§^id his noble frie;id ; then pausing a mp-
inent^ he added, in a lower tone, ' Ah, Essex,
aut. Caesar, aut nullusT The Lord Deputy
happily advanced, and saved me the necessity
Qf corroborating sentiments it gave me pain&
to adopt.

" It was hot with the customary greetmgs
we beheld the pleasant shores of oar native
country— doubt and anxiety had thrown
a gloom over those lively and spontaneous
emotions, which often suspend even the'
sense .of suffering. Lord Essex lost nol&
moment, but posted toward the Couift, with
such expedition, that he outwent all int^'^
mation, and was his own harbinger.r-iWft

tI0 tmMwewif Awi

^tnveA miQ m^niiti^ et« y^ the Qaeenhfiii
}$(t ber chamlMr ; bat alas^ il wm no longer
rtie Cmirl web«d left— «irery fiw^ »oiitid iTp^
]^i^ strimge talis ^ and we sow too plaittif
thftt ^ inyiidioiis Ceetk reig»«fl thelre^trw
tnaphatit^ £ord Grejr^ a favourite of t|i6ir*»>
pfesomed to pass the>£iirl of Es^ex without
nodce-^bat Nobleman gave him only as
eye-^ieate^and h«atene<lon to dteidehisfate.
— Bbrm was anniliilated by Gtreamatances^.
aiHl he rushed into the pvesenee of EliziAieth
the moment his arrival was announced r-—
aoGQstomedto beholdhim with eonrpfoceney,,
to receive him ^ith kindness^ the Qlieen
yielded through sarprise to the baii^Hf at
io niaoy years> and granted the prirate
audience he requested. — She listened to ft
▼ague and weak vindication of his con- .
duct in Ireland^ and the dotage of her soul^
was perhaps transiently gratified widi the ^
idea, that be had. preferred the- recovery of
her affection to that of his- reputation m
arm«. After a long conference, the Earl
vgofaied his friends; pride and pteasure
hfd flu^d his cheek, and the idea of re-as-
iuiing his aec«sloBied influence diSnsed

TU£ &SCEftt, 9lCi ^ til

llifoigjb his mteu tbat beiijigiiity aad gfa«- .
i^uMieta wliich are at oace it& nalnrt and
Ha chanxu iteseatment and rage htwes
wMitxtteA apy part of \m character^ bat
at tbe moman t be iuflcred by those pa^iotis :
aoch galliiig seaaalions were already fer«
gotten. Overwbdflfted with the congra*
tulatioDs ci his friends; encircled even
by his overawed e^emies> the heroic Essex
lose above, die triutoph he could not hot
dlesire-*-every face was instanlaneonsly
changed^ and those who knew not an hoot
before whether they should recollect hinii
now with fertile adalstion hallowed his very
fi>otsteps.*^This fatal interval of short Jived
pow«x waB> however^ the last heaven allowed
himl — ^Tlie crafty Cecils and their fiactioti
Seiaed the moBsent he injudiciously quitted
the Qaeen^ to persuade her that this in-
dulged favourite had not only acted con-
tvalry to his commission, in venturing to le-
tarn himself^ but Uiat he bad brou^t home
with him all bis ohosen adherents^ as well aa
every aspiring spirit likely bo strengthen his
•way, andcircimiscribe her's.— They touched
^. swl <tf Ehcabelb where it was most

JI$ THt JIECESS, lfcC;'

A^ulaeraUe, wd baviii^ tlius opposed to^^g^:)^
Other, the two • leading iweakoesses of i^i;
fiature,' by throwing the weight of paptj
jntb^tjhe one scale, . it so^n.prepoiideriatedw
She was unhappily in that decliniog age
3vhicb render^ . every baman being in some
degree ^'apricious and tiinid. — Already tiiic*
loured fvitU, fear she soon yielded* to the va-
rious inforoiations officiously brought her
))y. factions confedeirates* — She was told on
all hands that Lord E^sex was holding a
Court even in. her Palace, and insolent and
daring us this conduct could not but appear,
it was of less consequence than the <unT
bounded influence he ever jnaintained Over
the people — an influence he would .more
than . recover ; the n^oment he. was see© in
Lpndon. 'For tJiemselves they heeded. nql
r-willing martyrs to their integrity, and
fealty ; but for . their Queen, they aU
trembled at the prospect/ — It was too
hazardous to be risqued by Elizabeth ; feair
and resentment conquered the. tender pre*
possession which still struggled faintly atbei
li^art^ and, she determined to ascertaii^ hes
©>yn^^^ety,. as well as. that of )i^; kin^oioj

THE BE0ES6, &C. 1 1J

by impj'isoning her favourite; nor is this
resolutioQ to be wondered at, since even hei;
love conduced to it, when irritated by the
imaginary sting of ingratitude. She had.
set Lord Essex up in early youth as an idol
*or her own heart to worship ; but he was
Qot l^orn to be satisfied with unmerited ad«

miratbn • — the more he acquired the

more be sought to deserve ; till having esta*
blished liis^ favour on innate nobleness, be
rose abpve pa^rtlal distinction, leaving her,
to lament at leisure the very elevation she;
had given. From, this period she bad been^
^eak and irr^solvite in every instance wbei^
he was o^iioerned ; at intervals lavishing
honours to which he had. no title ; at others,^
withholding advantages, he ba4 fairly won.;
Tbe mottle of this inconsistency he could;
QQt fail tQ discern, but persuaded an attach-
ipent which thus powerfully coped with her.
judgment, was unconquerable, he forgot
that she was sinking fast into the vale of,
years, when the noblest passions insensibly,
condense into self-love,
4 '^ You who so well know the heart qfj
V(iy. Lord I Madam," cried Tracey^ turning .

^114 *ME hecess, &e.

I» me, ^ will better imagioe khan I <»» dSts*
^iciibe, his deep seiase of an ittdigifity e&-
tirelj puWic ; and apparetftly pretQeditatetf^
So unexpected a marroetfvre mastered hit
jadgment^ and giving Way to the most
p«t96ionate extremes^ he drew hin »wo/dj.
and would have returned it by her mcs-*
i^ftger,. beseeching her ^ to reward hi* ser**
vices by adding a more decisive Wow to^
tibfftt she once before bestowed on bittty
«ifite both ftedified to hitn hM sfaodHng M<l
igttomiftionfl riiazi flfuds: open aad utimerfleA
^OQUuiMy/— ^bi Vain bbftieirffr soil j;fcfr
lo moderate fata wtath ; i« vah^ bU eAemt$
drew neftfy eager to €atcb.ftnd tfedstiretbe
rash expressionsr he frboulel tittWarily- trtt^,
atid eotitert them to' hit rwn* Toiiebed oit
the tenderest poitit> his hoaotit, the worfd
eombinc|d would have wanted power W
3flence him-^he gave foil scope to his Jndig*^
Hant and wounded feelings^ aitd with a se«
verity of tnith tnore galling and datigerotis;
than the greatest exaggerations^ declared
aloud, '^ that the Queen had oat-lived allr
her nobler faculties^ andtliftt her souf was
gUfowD as crooked as her body**" This cut-

ting sarcasm was too faithfully conv^e^ecl to*
Elizabeth, who regardless of bts pride wh3e
her own wds thus wonnded, cottimitied bim
to the' charge of the Lotd Keepei', whose
bouse was ia effect his prison.

^'Oh heavens ! what wUd ticissitudes, wbai
trahs)>orts of passion took pbiseseion of my
liOi-d, at recollecting the imprudent readi^
ness with wbidi he had delivered hiqns^lf^
lielplesft and unguarded, into the hAtnliof 1m
eneinks ! stmggUng like a 1km iti the i9^
eyerf vein would sometimes swell alaioti to^
madnesA, bor dared I leave him a momeat
Alone*

*^ I bad no other hope of ^dbtnaguig his if«^
ritated passions than by recalling to fais'^iDiiidr
^Ihe beloved image qf the fi&ir voyager, to
^om die news of this event, and the feat
of what might' follow it, would be little leas^
than dfeath. I avert^ed one stoon, h6wever^
only to give free passage to another; the
tear of tenderness proudly trembled on the*
burning cheek of anger, and ^ grief it'
split my heart tq behold, took poikaession of
his.-^' 'Spare me the killing remembrance,^
be would cry-^' disgraced-Hiefamed*^im-»

116 THE RECESS, kt\

pri*)ned ; how shall I ever lift my eyes to that
fair, that noble sufferer ? I tell thee, Tracey^
rather would I have died than known this-
diameful mpnient/ ^Impressed by the un-
wearied attachment I had ever shewn him,*
dnd overweighed by the sense of his o\v'n
situation, my Lord at length, condescended
to lighten his own heart by unfolding to
m€ it& dearest views ; well he knew they
Wduld never pass beyond mine— no, every
vein bf It should crack ere I ivodd wrong'
80 generous a confidence^ which I ackniow-
ledge but to pro-ve my fate wholly de^'
pendent on the nobleman I serve : I would?
have it so, and heaven could afflict me only
ty separating them. ^

''The faithful Lord Southampton was hisf
dtiily visitant : though not himsielf a pri-
soner, ihe consciousness that every action'
of his life was watched and reported, bound'
ti)at nobleman to a mo$t cautious obse^v-*
ance. The Cecils had now no wish ungra-*
tified, for the imprudent bitterness of Lord
Essex had supplied the only fuel to tlie*
Queen's resentment which co»ld long keep
it.alrve; nor did time, in cooling the pas*.

.THE RECE3S, i&C. 117

; sionsof my Lord>. incline hinl t6» siibpaifi*
i'si.ODr-HxiDvinced in his own mind tbM.he
. lyad-tbe injured ;periion; jraflection only set-
i tied ra^e into disgu$t and contempt; never*
: tbeless> bis: con6iitutiolv> suffered severely

• by this.variety of passions ;• wbem one. seized
: uponit^ Tvbicb annihilated ail the resl> and
\ completely undermined bis beaitb-^a. grief

* more touching than glory or ambition could
'.occasion suddenly subdiieU bim.—- The time

was powcome which ought to have bteugbt
. to hina' and Lord SouthamptQn the' welcofme
.assurance that the partners of their sbhk
;were safe in Cumberland? — ^^the time, was

cooie I say Ir-alas, it wts gone ! — Afrtiid:to

communicate to each other a terror, which
! preyed alike on both^ Loi'd Southampton
1 dispatched express upon express in vatn^-^
.The days that lingered so tediously away
•howeverji matured doubt into ce^aint^. '

Ji9!rd.£s6ex- no longer .contended :wi& » the
'.'nervous: fever which obliged btmlto take /to
;bis bed ; where reaching out atangoid hand
-tobisoveypowered friend,, he broke, atlast,'
. the fejajrful heavy^ silence. ' They .arcigone,

for eyergone>:my dear:Southampiton/> cried

\11S TU£ ftECES6) &C.

.' Iie^ in iht low aeeeat of incurable ^pair ;
^ iiea^ea b«s spared to so«h so gentle and
Msoeptible those trials our stouter miods
caOr perhiips better eoutend with. — ^Qb^tfaou
dear oae i yet do I regtet that tfai$ bosom
did not receire thy la«t sighs! that cn-
iofldbed with thee even in the ocean^ de«tfi
.had iM>t ooBsummaled a union fortone^eTtr
.£nMned oiHw-bot.! hasten impatientfy lo
vejois tbee^ oh EUinor! my i^st^ my oidy
love !'

^^ The killing remembrance vrbich distract*

ed his mind soon rendered a malady^ sli^ at

first, desperate; he was even given over;

the Queen ibr a long time withstood the

'Ucoounts given by his friends of hi* skua-

.^ioQ^ ao dee|Jy had hit enemies in^r^ssed

^r with the idea that this w^s only a reload

artifice to attempt her to humiliate herself,

Keverdielesii, by one df those passionate

nmotiotts ii^ith which nature som^imes

(OVefp^reachefl the most elaborate finesses of

tai, she saddenly determined to ascertain

Ana real situation, by sending her own phy*

atci^ to visit 'him. — ^The. report of that

l^ntlemanisottvinoed her of iis d^i:igep--lift

moisl Qo^iw;^ 4;dre ; aod even to Unit t^
J^ thf^l^verj^istiiabctioii woul4 he reOored
firtlh to lH«lft<— Sa*, a1^ i sympjithy it*»
s^Jf b^d 119 Imfef aiiy cbftnoss for hua^
Imd ^ preiei)ce <>f . Iior4 : Souj^^mptoo
'0«eimd Ihe 0q]j j^ief his &te a4ipi^^4*
Tlutf wiiflU^ n^Ufmttiii »q leas aenfibie of
the moldftl c^Iopi^ %hw hU frieod^ ha4
apt ibe »m» fesLt»m to bury bU aflictiov
w ^kooe. . iUrpMted saee^eiiger^ were seiif:
aUke to Combelk^dj und the port you emr
fcttrkfid fr0m> I^ieit : tbpse who returned
fitym the li^lt^r only confirmed the fear^
^idcb had h^t^erto iluctu9^ed«^they iur
formeii ibe Ipver and the husband^ that the
mule of the Capitain isoumed for hinn a3
dead> nor wii^i itdo«ibted but that the crew
nd passengero we^e a^ke victims to a stonn
so sudden, and trenxendous* The active
and enlivened soul frequently e^hau«ts it^
nost acute sensations by wttpipaJtioov^
C!ertainty could not add to^the^grief oc^l^
foiled by suipmisej and IJao toUuguished
%pf^ of tii&.£Ti^ndBijgiasm ibein ilike u^
to ibai. cold, and si^a despair^ wbidi

120 TiiE recess; xt;

IS the worst of all states, becatose frequ^lifly
incurable. Those late hopes the Queen was
Svilling to revive her dying favofirite Vitb*,
made not the least impression on him ; ind
tlie Cecils leiarnt'with stirprise, that, neither
their views, their • condifct, nor even ' bis
own disgraceful {mprisoniiient, arty longer
touched Lord Essex; nay, that not evcni
his recovery was able to revive tho^ habits
bf enttrprize tlle^^vor^d #ere tatlght* to
think hitherto uncohtroulaWeJ Bis friends,
on the contrary, blest the skilful physician
wrho prolofiged a life so valuable,. aiK) saw
Sifith the happiest hopes, thkt.thbse Votfian-
tic flights in his character his enemies had
almost wrought upto hisrotn, weri at once
•extinguished; leaving it without any other
distinction than - a melaiK^holy sweetness
Hvhich rather turned bis t*houghts towlard
philosophy than war. TKe people, ever
naturally disposed to side with the unforta^-
nate, cried odt, that he was the innotseot
•victim oY the Cecil paffty ;:. who by same
bdiotis strokes of l^ohcy. added popiilarity
to their depressed .^ nVal, in xiimini^bing
their owji»*--——El}a»betb -herkelf could no

}#Bger support the idiea tbdt the man At
«tUl loved was obscurdy breaking his heart,
while jet in the flower of youth, in an un-
jpiyerited and dii^graceful prisoo. — She yielde4
to tlie information of the physiqian thai
cay Loi'd's atoetuU«g health reqjuired air,
aad seotbina her periaission to retire to an^
ef his sesits ia tiie couutry ; but £Qa*bad him
to attempt appearing in h^r presence : a re*
atrictioa perhaps more agreeable to Lord
E^x, than henself^; could she have seen
, the desolate situation of miad. in which b«
depafrted.

'' Fromtbe ccHmti:yb« addresiiAd'aiettats
of thauiis tatbe Q^Qon;^ ^hich dis^ay<^ «4
Mce his eloquence^, gratitude^ai^ languor;'
ia truths the latter gained ground d^ljf in
his chfiaacter* I^ord Essek was. bora cart
pablerof umtiog Urhis person everj various
and generous pursuit^ had fortune alk)we4
itj but iK>t even he was equol to ILVinii
without one*—*! frequently trembled at be-
holding his jgloom and inanity. Wholly
witbdratvu from tlie sphere in which he
had hitherto xwvedj and the pleasures he^

VOL. Ill* o

I-S^ THE, RECESS, SCC*

had once enjoyed, the rude society of his
neighbours, and the boisterous amusements
the country afforded, rather pifended, than
employed an enlightened and susceptible
heart. He wandered all day in the woods
alone, and returned every evening spent
and unrefreshed, only to recover animal
strength -enough to enable him to pass thci
morrow in the same melancholy mianner.

'^ In this situation I fencied a £alse hope
could not add to fais dafiger, and might
^Qrhaps rouse those active faculties every
hour seemed more and more to absorb. I
one "day ventured to repeat to him an ima-
ginary dream, tending to prove that you
still existed.— Not even the firmest mind
can resist the subtle attacks of superstition
when labouring utider depression. — His soul
so eagerly adopted the fiction of my brain,
,lhat I was a thousand times tempted to ac*
knowledge it to be such, but dared not
tenture to shew him I had played upon his
wounded feelings. Revived with the most
vague . and distant ' hope, he impatiently
4rove me away on a search mj own soul

THE RECESS, &C. 123

jbreboded to be fruitless. I even debated
ftflber I set out^ whether 1 should not 4oiter
out the appointed time in England till I
could decently return from my imaginary
peregrination, whenadream^ more pointed
and singular than that I had feigned,
awakened in myself those hopes I had com-
municated to my Lord^ and led me from
isle to isle enquiring for you: but I will
not call it a dream^ since surely the event
proves it a visitation. — Ob^ gracious God !
.what Joy will my return pour into the
hearts that now ach for either! How pure
Mrill be the satisfaction derived from their
acknowledgments!*'

; During this long recital, my tumultuous
feelings pursued my love through every
desperate situation. — —My woe-struck heart
.fa«rdly dared to breathe, till finding him at
last free and well, it gave a deep sigb, and
respired without pain. Essex insulted, en*
dangered, imprisoned:—-! cast* my eyes
round those gloomy walls, I so late thouffb|
my prison, and raising them to heaxepf,
adored the Power whQ there confined me^
o «

124 x^ »BCttS6, km.

tnuamiaiem of tke aonliolt I tnikk* bA
kave- topport«d« Ah, Ea»e^ I -^»kak twm
the wemtkkg elenanU, the iiu«h^igibb wrecks
^e loiig^ l«Bg Bolitnde^ tbc dpre iMioeilHUi*j
t had SD faiit^ly be«railed^ la tine aiagi^
ifka, o£ seeing thee one monsent at t^
vatroy. of Elt^dfa^ one^ nomeat in, tht
panrer of thy enemiee! And yei> for. lie
ijijf generous, soul losi all sense oi ^wa
Ihese mffiptaoae; pridej iianily> and gdun*
fleor, i& ¥iEun as^ied. tbee. : &lf ua and luMif
^as&km, beat unahend^ly at ibyrhojurt^ ooiEir-
den^itig in one favoiodie aorrow, thooe migktif
fiowera^ ¥ihieh once fiUfiUad every varioa^
and active duty of huniaiHtgr^
^ ttut ibis. Mm; not a time for ioi^assioaed
se^Qrie^* l4)d!y SoQti^amploa lecaUed mj
aUeatkMi to ihe prieiieni. moaimt $ aadt we
w^ployed it in iafotming: Tk^t^ Qf the
D{i«9^,. chafai^ter^ «^4 siiualiop^ a;^, bad
ibougtit it pr^dept to: aaiim»# i« laeU; as
>hp^ <9# our hp8t» SeaiHt^ was ha. nutftor
<if tiik^ae impoftant^'paiAiciilanii^emA^e JLaiad
f^i JhHPQiek returned^ andibioke in upon

fiM^ltth officer « litlto hMtei faff wl^filiL
•UglrdKd <d»> Oflltd iiMiy SoisriMlj^oii. im
tmie ifff the fiaBpit^te aiUellfer mr k^st tioi

IM 4hnI «Mi 4cfNmMiP(yfto4lAe fainiiidf.^

I h ^^d ^ Tin (teeMf^ s|%#0h l^erNtfM
pbvioas in the features of our ho^ ; h^t#^

tWycoft^ttitdltdft. . !

My h^rt bounds iil the Mtto^l»d^JN^
litemiit^^ tod I wottld hkfe ^ted ^k
G S

126 THE recess/ fee.

moment^ dedpite-of wind and tide; but;
MB the sailors declai«d this impossitde^ our
jdeparture wa^ delayed till the next morn-
ing. Whether the various incidents of the
day accelerated the hour af^inted by na-
ture^ or that. Lady Southampton, contrary
.toherpwQ idea^ had reached Jt, I know
not; but ^he was seized |tt midnight^ with
.the|»ains of labour, and suffelted so jseyeAsl^i
that her life was d^ured of. <Id .%hlt
,€ourse of the ensuing day^sbe wad dd gyc y c^d
of a' dead, child, and I was ^obUgec^ to poQr
,sole myself for the long delay this- elegit
,must necessarily ooca^ioBj 'by the pIcjasMg
idea that' the partner, of my fate< was b<^
prematurely divided from it-4n truths h^
'Vexation was so great, that I wasirednee^
to stifle my own, lest 1 should contribute .t#
Jber illness, .j

r- The fate which hope yet gilds, thojig^
ibut fiom^the verge of the, horizon, is nevei
i^B^e ' insupportable. We found, in the
protection of Tracey, and. • the idea of xer
joining the world, to which he seemed our
immediate link, the means of beguiling

THE RECESS^ &C. 127

many a tedious hour; box was this conso-'
kitio& superfluous ; for the Laird of Dor-
xioi4 became^ from the momeat of Tracey^s
arrival^ more.sulleja. and impenetrable than
ever.— rSelf was, in him, the prevailing
{i^inciple. Early invested with that bound-
eci, bub absolute, authority, which oftenec
j^roduces and shelters tyranny, than a more,
extorsive field of action, he had hitherto;
known no opposition. How often has. a
Mind passion warped the noblest natures i
ter was it perhaps unnatural that he shouldi
stretch his prerogative, to retain in his
Inands) a. lovely and beloved .woman, oves
whook he eould claim no right.-^Long in-t
ttred to fear> suspicion,, and anguish^ they
readily returned to their throbbing habita-i;
lion,, my heart. I often fancied 1 read
Hiurder written in dark, but legible lines^ oa
the knit brow of our host; and though
Tracey slept only in an outer chamber close
by us,, scarce could I persuade myself that
he was suffered to rest.peaceably there, oc
yet lived for our proleirtion : nevertheless,
1 strove at times to reject those black chir
• ©.4

l«9 m% nf^cfi^s, 9tt.

!fli6Ta8 ft iivCTy ten Agm'stroii ^pCTRUps
5«BadTly a*jpled. The Lmnl ef Donio^
Ho Itmger interfered trttSi trs, ^Mriwr Arte;
•either tiBd fce wrthStcW 4to« «w 1h« ^tmi^'
fBHrtiy trf ♦ris^fcAer.— Thfrtsupcct gW, -new tcv
iDvkftjr^ wMi a Tomantic 4)a|)pmes» f^ecoUiir
IDjNnitJi, gH%ed every object w* berovft
graces and Ttrtjies: wap rcgwd «t«aeeiprMi
Ihe merit tyf Tracey , ^e ^rttmfcned to ■ 4
katt^wiiidi cotrM dei^rve k ike fMi8ii«n I
ktd tmwarily iw ^iw iJ , Mr ^iu twr «Miwi
- ^iKnoe tmpropTttoiis; TTHoey, wiiofE iSMp
kad expantied iB a e«QS|^> W8» yet to iecm
ine ineonoervajbk <jhansi ^jf Iom^ : It <IMk
foil .|>o9ses5tcm xjff fakiii WMi « M«e«i
iitnt^ ^ad plea«are> I iritees t pd pore «flA
mppge n t rntrs, ^idi eotrtitrHaBy femnideA
iic of tfctwe darj,* -w+ien ttfce Pbntbt, I
looked enrapfcated oo the Tailed lmi4^enpif'
ef life, yet glowrtng wHIi the ewtly beams ef
hope ; uncoosciotrs of the lafhotivrs iriiidi
©ftea worfd 'hWj the heavy ntgfcts w4ncfe
mu«t «r!io]ly dbscure 4l. Tracey, no le«9
delighted than hb mstrets, -no tooger hta^
teoed tils departure to England^ and loeked

mtiftlibe* that irt did not ^tifl every chat A
•^f feXMtetice in this dismal ekite.

[, however, dnxioiiSly wdite^ irilh Lady
Bbuthidmpton, for the day Wheti heir rtco-
Vei^d h^altli stottld enable u^ ta depjlrt^
If caiiie at length, and we ^ere e^erly
Yt^p^ritig tbt th^ VoySigt*, wheh the L^ird
of Doi^nock sehl us an order to read, hj
=which the Kihg of Sctitd kapoweteci him i6
ttetain tfs. I knotir not ahV ^hock, of all
fkte had iBhposed dd infe, l^vAr feft mor-
Ittedbly: neVerthdess, 1 fehd pfe§ehee oi
ihitid enbdgh to dbservfe, by the date of thii
birder, that it had been obtaffied dCirfng the
botifinemetit of my ff lend. Th^ ^sap{>6inf-
itaent arid deiSpair this ii^ideni dccasibnec(
Wks ottiy alleviated by the recollection thai
kt aftusinrg t\it atfthoi'lty df the iling, t> Ir-
dblge aa trfi^drtfify iheliftatioii, tbe Laird of

Wfe iavt§ of hl^ dbitritry for our safely, by
tftfmittihg lliat sucti persons were in his cus-
tody. l*fde'&y gave him notice of this ini-
jWedJat^iyi afld'ifidufeh li^ ihdd^rated hfs
tag* hi fcdristderatton ^>f' the fair l^hoebe, he
g5

130 THE 4l£C£S$, &e.

warned the Laird of Doroock to treat n$
nebly^ as he would answer it to his own
King^ and the Queen of England^ in whose
name we should soon be demanded. To
this indignant vaunt^ for in truth it was no
better, the haughty Scot coldly answered^
^* that he should take bis chance of incur*
ling an old woman's anger, who perhaps
had already resigned all her rights to h|s
master." Tracey could no longer conLroul
the feelings of his generous soul, and rew
plied with acrimony. The Laird of Dor-
pock bade him profit by the occasion, and
be gone immediately, if he did net mean to
be included among the prisoners. There
l^anted only this stroke to consummate our
wretchedness, and, however reluctantly we
resigned our only friend and protector. Lady
Southampton joined me in urging him to
go ; till, orer-ruling all his objections, w^
hastened him alone into a bark, which aa
hour before we seemed to see ourselves in^
He comforted us with the assurance of soon
returning, being fuUy persuaded the King
€>f S^ots would never authorize so . unjus^

THE BECES«, &a 131

and illegal a procedure, wh^n once the
whole circumstfince was impartially stated
to hinu I sighed at remembering. 1 knew
him better ; but as an explanation atthatmor
ment wa& vain,. I urged not the unbounded
influence of the fair Mabel, through whos«
illicit connection with the King this order
had doubtless been obtained. How indeed
should, that monarch be convinced of a
remote act of injustice, who even at the
moment of committing^ it was wronging
Bvery moral and. religious dutjf ? The man
who once voluntarily errs must either be
weak or vicious; in the first instance, he
resigns himself up to the passions of otlie^s^
in the latter to bis own; and in either case
scarce ever recovers the narrow butevea
boundary of virtue. >

It was not by suoh means I hoped for
freedom^— ah,, no ! my views all pointed to*
ward the lover to whom my heart, like the
needle, ever vibrated, though far divided^
• — Let Essex be once informed^ sighed Ir^
let him once know where to find. me, and
be would cross the globe to ensure mjt^
1^6

safety. When. the chagrin of ttiTs trying
^^oment Hbated I called to mindilie, in-
finite relief the visit o** Tracey had given
nut spirits, and the change it had made ilk
f>cir sitoation^ by aequtUing us pf those pett^
obligations whieh always httmiliate a noble
mind^ unless it finds a congenial one in the ,
Ibestower.

I soon observed thai the Lmrd of Dor*
»ock had not courage to profit by the bas^
injustice be had ootninitled. Thesobser-
«ieat situation Tracey had placed himself
kk whenever we were present, and the pnv
Ibuad deference with which he obeyed our
every wish, neither agreeing with the ranii
we avowed^ nor the regtmeatal he wore, a
vague idea of mystery had taken possessiott
of our host's mind^ which wanted Ttgooff
and aetivitjf to attempt devefopiug it. Con-
scious, too late^ that be had, in releasing
Tracey, set a spy on his own conduct^ he'
vainly regrett^ ^ timidity which pre^
vented his detaming bim; He nevertheless;
at intervals, stiB talked of lore to tadjr
l^thampton, oflerwg^ to buy^retmm by

THE RECE«», kt. ' m

itnaginarj worlds of wealth : iwto us, accus-
tomed to elegance and luxtrry, all hisposses-
^ions appeared but a gaudy poYerty. A»
these ostentatious and ' absurd of&rs were
one day made in my presence I fconld not
but take^some notice of them; he silenced
me, however, by reply mg, that I must be
cautious how I exerted a spirit so likdy io
make him transfer his attachment, and bef
satisfied with protecting one of the two ^
since f could neither think so ill of his dis*
cernment, or my. own beauty, as to be-
lieve him the dupe of my disguise. As ft-
was the first time a dbubton the subject had'
ever transpired my conftrsion gave him a
ftill conviction : I could not recover myself
sufficiently to reply for some moment?: at
length I told him that he had guessed the'
only part of our secret which did ndt lie too^
ide^p for his knowledge ; nevertheless, thkt*
;ill he had discovered was but the least
part of the mystery; and finally, that the'
day which informed him of our nanie^ attd'
rank would call him to a severe account if
his conduct were in the feast unworrtiy'
cither of us or himself.— I boldly added,^

134 TUI& RECESS, &C.

that the only thing ever wanting to oar
safety wa&y to have the Court of England
informed of our asylum^ and now tliat was
by Tracey's means, ascertained^ we were not
without .noble/ friends- to claim us» The
grandeur of air natural to me when insult
loused my pride ast^nish^d and awed the
Jiaird of Dornock.; his mind laboured with
Tague and indistinct apprehensions ; and as
all attempts at diving into a secret locked
' up solely ifi the hearts^ interested in retain-
ing it must be vain, he half repented having
exerted an unjustifiable influence he could
no longer hope to profit by.

; Lady Southampton acknowledged her
obligations to my firmer spirit; and both
having no farther reason to affect subordi-
nation resumed the habits of rank and- dis-
tinction ; hiring domestics of our own till
the momentofenfianchisementshould arrive.

. Heartily weary of us both, I often
thoiight the Laird of Dornock meditated
proposing to release us; and while I was
one day insensibly guiding him to that
wished-for point, an order from. Court was
delivered into his hand. Convinced that it.

THE R£C£SS, &C. IS5

would BVerate us I cast an eye of tnumph
OQ him while he opened it; and saw his
tountenance confess the same idea; but a
moment caused a visible change in it. He
read the order aloud> and we found, with
inexpressible astonishment, that it contained
the strictest charge, to guard his English
prisoners, as he would answer it to his King:
yet with all due deference. — I eagerly caught
at this article, without seeming to notice the
first, which nevertheless sunk deep into my
heart; nor was his insensible to the latter.-—
The weariness and. di%ust be had begun to
jndulge increased ; and his pride, revolting
at the idea that his castle was become a state
pi:i$on, and himself only a jailof, be felt
every way irritated, humiliated^ ^d oft
fended. • No human being submits to power
with so ill a. grace as the man whobas un«
justifiably exerted it; and when its res^c^
tions fall heavily on such, mere retribution
beeomes in effect a severe revenge,
. A tedious interval had iagain elapsed with*
out any news from England* The tenderi
^mid Phoebe^ oftei^ persuaded herself tbiait
her lover had ntver reached it; and the van

gotten sdtMtidies ttielined iny tVie^ aA4
•elf t<j snite with ber in llMil opinkm— ^er,
how Man J other catises diigbi we ife^ls&iittbl^
assign forth^ ileglect-**cM8ed 96 ttitNsh mw6
klBietitig thd« \?^ f«cali(^ oti^ thougtild i6
th^isle for cdniN>ldtiofa. ^

Whether the ttt fiflite Vlrfi^y, the tttrmikl
%*ail«itioii« my oWtt life ttjkl alfeady aft
forded inclm^d me to' hope 6n ; or whcthet
the iDcefiBaitt pr^^^iers I addt^ssed to him
irho abde eduld YetieV^ iii<^ eirdaed mf
ttiod ivitb foirlitude^ I cdiitiOt iMj^; liM I een**
tahily daily discovered lA it k»^t<Jedbilhertd
unknown. Bvefy paMit]^ boat seemed td
iredne and settle it« powers and pettepiiOftxii
till Aiose turbulent patMon^i ithMioflM
nrshed lilM a oatamct tiftdugd my jfraM^j
HOW, «iith a g«R^^ heAkhfel t^fMt, pan
motioo 10 my |wlsJei« ^

We Indent ftom jHtotb^y tb^C ijfiiii}ji»^}eiter^
came froot Mabil «o her etdeif b#mhe»i flti^
ecmteika of wkMi bid ^ ^ttdtibUsAy* ^i^hMlfaU
edyaKihMbit ob^rto|ls*#^ W^teiUHfk s^ecf.'
Tltit iiett« oiriy #Q«ftti]f^ tsia the beH«^
^M 'ffaeey lyi ««i|€^#d Bh^«i^

not mtt^sMj lot. 1st

m^ M m A M m tt ikffmmte time 4i«li69»ler-

uwwd tMBfMMn* 4giMp$ €ft w&f wffciAc upon root
tetHf^ «an<Md1iuJ( we 4imiUI %e iklttered

ivBBi ^Rf]|if.ij^ . iiB' «vn pn^i^fecx ^n • imp*
notuit^ tin wj^lK MmAiiicA the <M%iii ilw '
^0n ^kut iprcmss^ ttftutl. Wit beheld 'H A

^Kil^ WMl ' tlM^CRV HMttUu 199W3t tRHMMfflr YMTc

been more welccMue to vaf «yet^ '

vPfMc^y uuvt Wsftt ivtrSt^, tnta g)w was

factors! any w^ul T[>oww8 tSiitsmgh my r^
*<»*ieR I asMalbehelii them* Wltti ItrvishtHl-
derness Essex hailed my second Ttitrrwe-
^fion, afrd wowed to shewlyis ^mt ttf the
^lessrrng by an implicit «ttorission to toy
will.w^ You shdn ito more icomplirni of Ate
Errors of » cmnp^ my lOTCi** cMtitined Mi

138 THt: BECESS) kc$

f ^ I turn for erer fjrom tbe bloody scene.^'^
Af Court i»o lodges has* %ny eharias for
me: insp^rdd witb Jii8ter8entifl9pents>*al^e
to purer ' pl«a&Hred> in your. heart and my
^vm will I bencefoTib look for the wayward
stragglerj^ |iappiness* I am not longer^ my
sweet Ell^ior^ the Essex you have knowAct.
X sun become an abtiplu|e' rustic, a mer«
philosopbei;* With you I will; abjure th^
jrorld^ and ia some soU|ary spot devote my*
self to love and the sciences. Ohl shu^^
ift^i; hearty, like. me,. my>love> to the past/
^d look only towai^ds the; future*.^ J wiaii
.with im|»aitience the news of your safe ar-r>
.rival in .Ci»n^rland^ and date .from thafe
day our happiness.'/ f, , . ^^ - f

/ These yords were, to my soul, v^hiit Jthe
balmy bceathof spring is t^the frosetteartb^
.the winds at oace cease ta Uay^the snow
sinks into her bosom, the bucUpiM; forth
.tlieir verdure, and nature forgets she has
.suffered-

, Tr^ey came fraught with gifts rather

suited to the spirit of the donor^ than Uiat

.of the accepter;, yet, Uiey opened tiie heajct

.of the Laird of P^KOOck, who listened t^

THE R£C£SS, &C. 159

tbe avowal of Tracey's love withoai repug-
aanee; and at length promised him bill
'sister^ if^ at the expiration of two years^ his
rank ip the army entitled him to claim her*
•-^Tbe tears of the young lovers for ever
: aemented those vows his will thus authorial •
Joy having disposed my heart to l-eeei ve the
foft impressions of every • gt&atle passion,
^rxtingm^ing air that were Hot so, I re-
ilDembered, with astonmhaient,>^th€f moment
.when I readily adopted the ' ambitioCKi
projects' of £s8iex.~Bank, riches, glory,
<tvhat are ye ?^— Gay ornlunents, which -■ lend
:^lenddur indeed to felicity, b^t which only
incainber anil weigh down the sonl when
•struggling with the 'waves of misfortune':
gladly^ we lighten ourselves of such adven-
titious goods, and grasp in tranquillity and
love; the unenvied, but rich essence of all
our fortune.

In life, as in prospects, we can long
<enjoy only a bounded view;, and all whiish
present, either td the nlind or eye, a multif
plicity of objects, botv^ever^reat or beautiful;
overstrain the faculties, and destroy the
pleasure. Rejecting at once every gaudir

140 tMe iKiCBst, ftr

vmuty delights iiK, ftam-t^t diktmii Wtmn,

^tum tid emllii^t HK^jt, my*«oiil f!«iH«fl

.fectli -the ifekn^d ind^tidtiaU ^^ %lMi^

viiim at tnjrii^ ia «.wf& 9iAi ^miMjtt^fMtm^,

Meed tHMSt -we^hottkl tew try «hft'<!lwlfl^f^

,*^Uefw Mnt^yum k «hM to tad «feM bbrtl
'bsix ^iAMelf nt te»)^ H^benriMd Mmi
.ivlKxllytsiHiaal; «iwi> weiiy of iniivs»Miit%
«tt«y^ Md «A the tociivleiim «f lii^^ ki n»-
jmAH^iiig'ibtficoattoi^Mflitelh, W left^ wtilk

iiteidbgte %b« p ia m>g i » of tte wAniy aoAHit
%0{>«te^ of lli« httait^ tt hiifi|>iiMi not «» M
tmisd Wh eftrtk^ wteii dhoit Mnroci fiitt 16
supply it, ^

f & iwt inf for I0v«r ttio dmarp soiWl of Iny
»ife> I Muld b«imiiiMoof oftly ont^^^dgmv
i>ot*iiweriog MyMif^ thfti IVfte^y w^mM «i%
Jbng tesiofe tlit rf e«t Ptitelie i)0 K^y Hfmd^
sbip^ J soon dmd ^ the te«M« dWfr to th%
#60d| tbfttcb9imitig gi|} tei^««d ti|Hitt 4iit

f 'SUM i^BeiM^ A»/ iif

fmhUikff. The vapid iftotien of the Teasel'
boie Tig' pvopoftioii to- my itnpalience;
whenever I looked^ that dete&led ifi\e was"
atJ^l ia view; I though* w6 8lK>Hld never lose
aiglit of it. . ^

: Oh! how I BDticipttte«l t^ sweet re«
pose which awaited us in the green soli-
tiide^i o£ Cptnberlaufii ! I fkiU^ed myself
iJMd^ Esfiex would atreadty be there ; though
Tracej asMii«4 m^^ spies still foUo wed-
bis steps, from which only a long con-
fttniatibn of bis peaceflil intentions could
relieve him, - \ '

At Ieng)U the pleasant shore of England
ibas dcsorkd;; welcome to my heart was the
$lHMit wiiich pfoclaimed it! <^\xt very sonU
ahotjtfaitMiglioiir^yMQncemoiie^.to hail our
native countary. We^femid at the port^ ser*
taots, and every abocNnimodatioH that might
iendfer our jouriMy easyi Ah ! bow beautiful
wttBtbatjouipey l-o^tithousandTartousobjectft
of mmple. ma^fsly^unitedto. form one perfect
whole; and a^ new ddiigbt stole on every
aeota, ^^ we wouod' through varying Tallies
«iilK)viieied by hanging woods, which were
reftected in many an expanse of water, and

142 THE EBCESa, &C.

dim shadowed at iatervals by monntaiiui
whose arid heights defied the sun they seem*
ed to swell to.

Far in these green labyrinths we came at
once upon the Castle from whence I now^
write. — It is in fact only an elegant ruin>and
might rather be termod.the residence of the
anchorite, Solitude. In tearful gladness the
fair owner threw her arms round my neck^
and blest the power which permitted ns a(
last to rest here.

From this antique mansion do 1 date
my narrative; and, in arranging it, seek
only to fill up those hours yet unblest
with the presetite of him born to fill
every future one. Dear Lady Pembroke^
\ cannot express to you the divine, repose
which hushes at last my overw(»m faculties*
—I look back with wonder on all the past
griefs, the mortal conflicts* my shattered
frame has contended with. . So pure, so per*
jCiect/ is now my grateful tranquillity, that it
seems proof even ag^nst misfprtune itself.—
No more shal\ my beating heart*— my burn<!>
jng brain — but why should I revert to such
dismal recollections f

THE RECESS, &Cl 14S

* '£iii bosomed in the maternal arms of na-^
tfure; safe in the obscure and solitary stiua^
tion of this ivied asykm^ here my affrighted
soul, like a scared bird, faintly foMs up its
weary wings ! delights to be alone, and joys
in ' mere^ safety. I think I can never be
hi4>py, be grateful enough, and while mj
heart exfaavsts itself in enjoyment, I still
0all oh it for ebullitions to which it is nnequal.
Pride, passion,vanity, dl the grosser particles
of my nature, are at once exhaled, and every
pure, every social virtue, unfolds and blos-
soms to the vernal sun, forerunning even the
-snow-drop.

Oh! that radiant, glorious luminary!
how new to me seems its influence!-—^
Dark have been the films through ^ich
I have hitherto ^viewed it. Pardon, my
darling friend, these flights of fancy : how
playful does the mind grow when at peace
with itself!

' Hasten, generous Tracey^ hasten to
my love, and inform him of our arrival.
But is not Tracey already gone? Oh!
hasten then, my Essex; quit that busy
scene, where virtue incessantly hovers on

^km T^itge of a piwnpiee a tlioiisfkai rewiy
liMuk wjoiiktplttiigQ her owiaH^iiartelipe wife
itt! 4)« deep repose ^ dik ^Istodb^^Bo^
kw^ be«d Eltjcabeth hersetf; not evea ber
pow^r €«Q reocli ua hete. Natnre'a gigfti^
^ck pbalnnfic^ impusaafale mouaisakiS' pr^senfe
ltmrib£midaUe3uiaaiit^ in long m^csiy, over«*
4M^g every iolerioir gud«d; wb^j, ia tbeie

\^$Qm of kfiv motlHer^ Natuxe.-^'^Ob ! coqiq
4)a»> and in

'' ^ /j/c emmpt from public haunts
'^ r«/ie? tongues m trees, books in the ru'nmug;,
» • Ur€am&y

[^ SermQn& in 9ton^f_ and. good in every*
^ thing,'' \

A-thunder-bakfidUaninybmia! Avenger
mg^beavefi; why. does it ootwiiQlly split it ^
Tried -^ sentenced — condemned — r wfaSc I,
entombed in a now dele&led soiituife> gaily
dreamt of end]ess bapptnesflk~>4[M) I let me
one« mc»e fush xntmilj into tbQ worlds over-
trbcfenmy agonized senses wttb.lbe shouts of
anni€6**«tbe groans o£tha dying^oaotaioft

tHii EECES8, &C. ' 145

of blood — ^riverd of tear*— find if possible a
horror in nature ma^ counteract that now
jraging in my soul.— -The wreck of the uni-
verse alone can equal it.-— But let me give
the . ruin scope — wherefore, whereforei,^
should I wish it lessened-^h ! Lady Pern*
broke!

LADY PEMBROKE WRITES.

The trembling hand of the friend last in^
'¥oked» takes up the pen to finish the woes
of a fair unfortunate, who will never more
fceherown historian.— Alas, they had 'now
reached their climax. .

The eceentric' turn of mind which made
the sWeet EUinor fomn a 'plan so extraordi-
nary as her supposed death and burial, ex-
cited an astonishment in me, its artful
execution alone could increase. Never-
theless, the regular ptirsuit of a single idea
^as far from persuading her friends, that
her intellects had recovered their tone, or
equality.

When this heart-^breaking narrative can^
to my hands, I could not but observe that

VOL. 1X1. n

146 THE HEC^SS) Jipc*

the sweet mistressi of Essex bad i^ very par*
tial knowledge of his character^ or inforoi-r
^ ation of his acttons.-rBle^t with the most
equitable and generous befii;t tfa^t ever ac-
tuated a human bosom that noblemaii's
virtues often took a false colour from the
selfish views of those who once found A^
way to it. Credulity was so much his
fault that even his enemies profited by it,
whom he always ceased to consider as such,
the moment they deigned to deceive him
with a false protestation. of i^ard — hx fact>
the lenity of his nature oontinui|lly. counter*
acted that ambition> which was its only,
vice ; and irradiated his charaQtsr with the
milder glories of humanity ; a lustre, mor^
soft, pure, and lasting, than q^ere con*
quest can bestow. Nevertheless, th^ esariy
habits of power and distinction hi4 seised
on his aifectioqs, and e\ien his lovet co-
'operating vfith that indulged foible,, they
increased together;. The daring prqjept ha
had formed was no way unfeasible,, had he
managed it with address : for he possessed
the hearts of the whole kiqgdon^, a^ few^

TriE RECESS, &C. 147

«QVioii8 individuals excepted. But art was
unknown to Essex ; and those his superi*
ority offended, were proficients ia that sci-
ek&ce : unhappily too^ they were so imoie*
diately around the Queen^ that they could
convert the suspicions she sometimes en-
tertained of bi» conduct^ into certainty*
Yet so Tooted was her love for this unfor-
tunate favourite, that it long contended
with tliat she bor^ herself; and tears of
ill-judged fondness have often absorbed the
bitterness his enemies Would have wrought
tohisruitl. Such aw^akne&s alone could in-
duce a soVereigtv, wii^ and experienced
Hke Elizabeth^ todele^te a power scarce
inferior to ,ber own^ into the hands of a
xftoblemaH^ valiant^ popular^ and aspiring.
lo consenting to'EsseK^s command in Ire<»
Ja^d the Qiieen made an' absolute sacrifice
of her owa inblinalioa (which was-only
gratified when be was near her) to his; of,
perhaps, in effect^ both unconsciously
yielded to the secret policy which invari-
ably sought to separate them,-— Convinced
^t^e had bound him to her by every tie of

148 THE R£C£SS| SCC.

f;ratitucle^ banonrj and confidence^ how
laust so high « spirk as that of EUzftheth
he shocked^ wounded j and irritated j to see
her favourite loiter away his days l&actively
^ in Iceland^ regardless alike of her admoni*-
tionsj and the censnres of the people !«-^In-
;^ensi<b]y ^he imbibed the prejudices of th^
Cecil fanuly, the inflexible enemies of the
Earl ; to whom she submitted the govern^
ment of the state^ lei« from any esteem for
their talents, than the latent desire of
piquing the negUgent Essex, Co whom
they were equally obnoxious. Time con*-
firmed to the Cecil faction, the influence
they at first owed solely to resentment.
The wearisome supineness of the Lord
Deputy WAS at once succeeded by a sus-
picious, and mysterious conduct. His se»
cret treaties with the arch-rebel, Tiroen,
the aaonymotts captive who seduced him
into tbese-^all was reported with aggrava-
tion to Elizabeth. The resentment occa-^
sioned by the error of his conduct, was
doubled when she knew that of his heart:
jealousy too)L full possession of hersj vtA

8

• ttti RECESS, &C. 149'

she determined to make him severely sensU
ble of her power ; but she was told it was
QOt safe> at that period^ to recall him.
Obliged for tlie first time in her life to con-,
troul' herself, and meditate how to get him
again into her power^ her temper became
ab^oluiieljF intolerable. Her ladies pr^
served a meliancholy silence, save the art-
fnl few won over to foment, and profit by^
lier irritated passions. The fate of Essex
•eem wholly to depend on the event of a
war, hitherto unprosperous ; when to the
astonishmenf alike of friends- and enemues^
without performing any considerable ex^
ploit which might secure him a welcome^
the Earl posted suddenly home^ and pre-
sented bimsdif. before Elizabeth, with the
daundess air of unblemished innocence^
Whether the surprise of the moment really
revived that powerful passion of which he
had so long been the object, or whether
fear ffNT her life made her dissemble the bit-
terness and rage swelling at her heart, is »
circumstance which never reached my
knowledge. It is certain the Queen reQeivei
H 3

150 THJE UE€E^$, &C^

bim graciously, aod Iktened U> a vtsry hm^
perfect and incobereDt d^eooe <0f Uis oq&*;
duct, 'fhey parted friends; and Essex
instantly giving way. io that credulity^
virhich so often wade evejry tdent art aod na^
turecoiiM ttfiiie in liis person i^rtiifte, Gon««
sidered himself as effectnaUjr M^estoiUidMd
in her beact^ v^ mAuljg&i dl tbe ei^iik^
tloo sucb a trkidipb i>9)pr his WAinies eo\M
not fail io occaaion.

Wbai a lbnader*-stroke fhm was. 1ms i«ut
mediate disgrace i a diagf)»ca be fiould no*
but impirte Io his omtb impfmduu»i. wmem
in retijurning withoul advice, he bad d^merw
ed bimseif vcduntaiily intotbe hands of has
eneip^iaft. Te the morlificaliao pt a long
and bniailiatiAg itfipriaoB»eat irma shei^
^ft^r superraddiG^ « UUing gdef, in ibe s«p«»
ps«ed 1q9«» of ^ hcfrnti^M EUiacur* B9«
signing himself tia a $ulkn and silsnt despair,,
Essex no loog^ cfindeseendcd to offinr
iBUzabeih any ftiitber vtttdieatioB aif bia
fond|2ct, Bor coald be persuaded to maka
the r least sufamissioo. This concussion of
3> bowererji shivered bia ai^alj ni^

THE RECESS, &C. 151

*e«s than iiis mental, system. . A fever fol-
foivedi which soon rose to a dangerous
Jieight. Obsthtatdy refecting all tiaedical
Advice he declared a thousand times that
toe wished ottlyto die: nor had the wish
h&m vain^ btit that the Queen, unable
>W*olly td «otldu€rthe tentiinents of tender-
liefes wtifdifeiid*8o'lt?hgre!gtted in her heart,
#tNii her ^wn {>hy^d^ft to attend him, Mitih
ttkn «if pettt^ a&d ps^Mm. The desperate
state in which he ft«khd Ifee Earl #as
fthibfuil^ tep^t^ib £S^M>eth; vfho,
iM^cdied to the h^ft, iMkitltted whether she
fhotdd urn tefit^ Km by sti immediate
irlitt; s^hl^dWttl ilMWays be to counter-
mot by pdlitibdl ma&oetivr&s th6 genuine
iolpi^siiom of natui^. iTie Cecil party
«liddmiy ft)iiAd theMrelt^ on the brink df
j^in; letkid evcfy hrguffietit, fear, pridfe, 0^
^iidiiM>ce, ^Dttld suggest, was ei^forced to
delay thift itiUefVieWi Elizabeth yielded tb
ike powel-ful dotnbiiiation of reasons in that
iostance, Uit could not deny herself the
pteaisttlfe of ooiYi^sponding with Lord Esse^:
«ak« grew better J and soon sU&red hiib
. »4 .

1552 THE K£C£S8^ &C. ,

to yindicate his conduct : nay^ even conr
descended to reproach him with the un-
known lady who had so fatally inflnenced
it. To this perplexing hint^ be replied^
his grief alone must answer; ajid the me».
lancholy tenor of his lifb so exactly agreed
with this declaration^ that Elizabeth pressed
no farther into a secret it was plain the
grave now veiled : rather seeking by kindr
ness to iavigorale a mind Ul<4brtiuie had
biorne too hard upon.

It wa9 BOW the shining time in Ae life of
&sex. The purple torrent of succesidid
war had hitherto swept away^ ^r sunk^ those
sweet humanitiesj those social virtues^ time
at length brought to light in the vale, of
adversity. — Endued with eloqueace^ taste^
science^ sensej and sensibilityj he now re--
signed himself to the charms of philosophy
poe.sy> and the maUiematicfs : innocent and
tranquil resources^ to which the mind mnst
ever turn whien disappointed^ if blest with'
powers capable of r^hshing them. The '
Cecils never thought Essex more danger^
oqs. Age aud infirmity pow made Wismt-

THE RECESS, &'c. V53^^

beth anxious fox peace abroad^ aiid tran-
qiiillity at home^ and th^e wanted only a*
meeting between be r and the altered Earl^-
to re-establish him in ber favour : but that
Bfieeting bis eDemies entered into a league;
to prevent) and began by winning £liza->
beth's physician to order theEarl of Essex^
into, the country.— An artifice so refined-
as bis'liberfttion was^not ixnmediately dis-:
covered to be policy by any party ; and tbe
Queeif^ lulled into a l^lief tbat> she coidd'
honourably receive bim when- he should
r(^turn^' suffered him to depart without an
audience..

W-earied ' of wars, caraps^ and political •
jaaldusies and discussions^ the melancholy
Essex desired in freedom only tbe scditude-
be foiind, when Tracey returned with the
aatonishing news that the nustress he sfcili*
adoried yet existed.^-^Fatal news to his future-
repose l-r-Tbe impossibility of openly claim- .
ijig EilinoF revived with his passion all his>
dftngerous and precarious projects. Every-
other effort to obtain' ber was made with*^
out succ^Sj ere he secretly applied to the-

H-5

154 TH£ R£C£SS, &C«

King of Scots ; who always knew his own
iaterest too well to grant any favour with*-
oui iiavrag secured an adequate relnni.-—
James ardenUy desired to be nominated as
tlM successor of £Hzabeth by herself; and
bad not spared bribes^ promises^ or flattery,
to interest ^ose around her wbom be
thought likely to inf)sen<;e ber choice.*-*
The unhoped overtures, of the man whose
courage s^ ambilion James most feared^'
was; a circumstance of importance. Unm-
formed of the real naxne or characters of
the prisoners.Lord £ssex so eagerij desired
to recover^ the King of Scots sent .the Laird
of Dornock notice to guard tbe» more
strictly. The impetuous temper oi £»ex .
made him always resign to the {MFevaiKog
object every other interest: but a treaty
like this could not be carried on so seeve^ly
as to escape the suspicious eyes of the mi-
nisters. With what malignant joy did fhey
silently watch its progress till the momeat
when its publica^tion would inflasie the *
Queen to their wrshee !
Essex now once more thought it his ia« '

i

toce^t to be hmy, ^Amiredy aiid popular : > ]

he relupMd into all bid o)d habits^ and bav-^ :

tug won ibe Qd^e&'s permission^ returned to
L^idbn. Far^ however^ from pirofiting by
this ii!idalg€&ce> to reinitiate himself in her
fatrouf^ be remained entirely at holtve; \.
ihww'mg open bis doorg to all iitrpovetisbed
efficers and ckrgy^ amoiftg wtic^ a number
of spirited iKivetftorers a^peatefd^ wbo9«
}a?ish praises sieeined to rendc^r bis popnla*
tity greater tbsin evef.

Ettzabeth Wkk disgust beb^^ld bim ai^ucne
the dtttinctiona sb« pesbapa kititnded onct
fittore to bestow; and kept in;~!iileiice a m'lci
watefa apon his eondaet. By a refinement
kHoifrd o«)y itt poiitics> bk enemies bcbA^
tesed* aaeioDg bis. part^xaivs m&rsy creatures
af ttoas: owny i^nstruct^d tk$ dit^^^ irito all bis ^
iiitetyiioD^j and spread^ abroad siedi'tiotis and
fteaso/Kable pvc^cln o& liiongb Intrasted by
Umself Witb 9rt«te. This mstlice wai but
too 9i«<e^9^al. — InRa^d with the, adulatif>ii
hf ikijf^jndgiftg fri^b^, tbcf extriivagant nd^
ttiFiratien of ^t^ multi'^de^ an(l thfe insidious
TMstelCs- of hieJ enemies, the deluded Essex
sprBf»g riie m«ief Kmsdf by which be wa^
destroyed. . ^.^

156 THE EECESS, &ۥ

~ The misbbief commenced by a broil fae^
tweea the Lords Southampton and Grey ;
the last assaulting 4he former iu the street :
and though the ofFend^r was ceii^oniously
punished^ the spirit of party broke out in
a thousand little daily quarrels. The Queen^
already persuaded thai Essex> ever hangh^
and impetuous, scorned her power, de*
^pised her person, and only waited a favour*
able moment openly to insult both^ wat
irritated beyond all endurance by the artful
discovery (at this cruel crisisy of bis secret
treaty with the King of Scots, Its real
cause was unknown to her; and the of*
fence, though trifling in itself, of a nature
most likely to exasperate a sovereign whose
eyes were ever turned from si successor she
refused to acknowledge. — —The discovery
proved decisive.— JElizabetb instantly re-
solved to deliver. her. ungrateful favoilrite
up to the laws of his 'country, and author
rized a judiciM inquiry into his conduct.
Thfe Cecil patty desired no more ; for well
they knew Essex would rather die thaa
brook the deliberate mdSgnity. The com- *
mUiioned Lords Bifiembl«d at hii bouse oa

^ Sunday^ as the time when they should
be most safe from the iif suits of the partial
popuIace«--r-They fouad the Earl sufficiently
inflioiiedj who^ swearing he never more
ivould become a voluntary prisoner^ shut
up the Lord Keeper and the rest in his. own
bouse^ rushing forth armed^ and followed
only by a few friends and domestics^, to
claim the protection of the people.

By a fatality not peculiar to himself, the
bubble^ popularity, which had . so long
swelled and glittered before his mistafcea
eyes, burst at once, and left to him a va-
cuum in nature. The sacred day was but
too judiciously chosen by his enemies --*—
Without preparation— ^almost without &
friend, the unhappy Essex rushed throogli
tiie streets of London, crowded only with
peaceful and humble mechaoics, who,^
emerged from every close lane, environed,
by their wives and children, to enjoy ther
Weekly holiday.— To people of this stamp
the gallant Essex was almost unknown —
certainly indifferent: with stupid and cu-
rios eyes they turned to gaze on those,
warlike steps none ventured to follow—

153 TH£ BBeES% JSCI

dteps which bore the itoble Eftsex Mi fast
toward ruin. Distress, liawever, o»\y iih*
creased his desperatioA; ami the citiseetM
^ being spirited into making an in^ ffcet a ai
effort to prevent his retum^ a skinuisb efi^
sued. The amiable Tracej bad the h^ he
deskred,' and fell at the side of his Lo^^
who eren in this craet moment dropt at
tear on a jouth so beloved* F»ne^ ho-'
noarj happiness, nay, even life, were
fleeting fast from Essex ; and however
eareless of these goods, friendship atSi as^
serted her rights over his feeKngs. In com-'
passion to the few generous adherents who
must have fallen in his cause had he longer
sesistedj the Earl at length surrendered his
sword.

All was now over with this admired and!
eirring favourite. Imprisoned in thfeTowei^
he had ample leisure to re^-consider the
events which brought him there.—- The de-
sertion of the people harf opened his' eyes'
to the realities of life. — He too sensiWy
fo«nd, that while he ministered to their'
niecessities, their pride, or their -pleasures,
the multitude couM rend the air wift ac-

tH£ RfCE^S, Sea. 159 \

ckmatiofii ; hn% that fbe moment a claim ii^
in turn made on their feelings, they alway* .
become coM, tatjAd, and inanimate. He
perceived with Tain regret that lie had beeil
doped into! this outrage on the laws of sk>
ciety by the manoitivres of bis enemies n6
less Aan the credulity of bis heart. Bat
Lord Essex was not formed to profit by
these humiliating di^overies: they im***
pressed a natmre do generoils only with the
- deepest disgust.— He was however consoled
with remembering that self-preservation
was the sole motiye for his daring attack^
and that no action of bis life had yet vio«
lattfd^the duty he had sworn to the Queen.—
He resolutely prepared himself to meet thd
judgment of his peers, and only lamented
the friendship which involved the generous
Southampton in his fate ; who shared with-
out regret the prison of a friend so dear.

The Queen, meanwhile, experienced
every emotion such a painful contrariety of
passions must necessarily occasion. — ^The
imprisoiiment of her favourite, as lisual,
seemed to cancel his offence : but he wasT
now beyond her jurisdiction^ and the yrctim'

of tbe laws. She bad tinhappily surrendered
y^im up to theiD, aud- robbed herself c^
every prerogative but >hat<of pardoning;* a
prerogative she. feared so high'va spirit'^
would never solicit her toexeri» She re-r
gl'etted too kte having, driven htm- to so
dangerous- an^extreme ; and while his fata
was , yet unc^tain^ suffered < more . perbapi
iban he did; in its completions^
. The friends of the Earl persuaded that
no kind of influence would-be spared -tc>
}>ring him to the blocks were unanimous in
in treating, him to win ^ over, tbe Queen, by
an e^rly repentance and submission : but
they knew not. the grandeur >of the heart
they would have humbled* . Born to distin^
^ulsh himself most eminently when outward'
distinctions- were withdrawn^ , it was then
only Essex ^seemed to use. his better judg*-
ment.— ^'' Can. any one- call himself my
friend," would/ he indignantly exclaim,
" and yet wish me pporly to petition for an
obscure, , an ignominious life ?. What 1. ta
pine away the flower of manhopd in infamy
and solitude ; , shunned x by. all, . yet. unstig-
matized by pubKc justice, . ^nd daunning^ in.

tnrQ the exalted characterff. I dare no
longer emulate; shut up with those tor^
Inenting companions^ my own thoughts^ till
led^ perhaps^ by dei^pvration^ to iniiict that
faie up<m myself I faaye meanly evaded
receiYiiig firom the law.-;^-'— No, my friends,
J am enthralled here as a traitor — if proved
one, it is fit I expiate my crime ;«^and if
acqaitted, IJcnowthe value of a life veQ*>
tnred hitherto only for my country.*'-— •
Neither argumentfror intreaties could shake
kil» . Insolation ; and h^ heard with ua^
equalled firmness that public sentence
from which,' he still per^sted, diere was no
appeal. In vain every deiir: and affecting
image was pourtrayed in the strongest oO'^-
lours; before his. active imagioation^-^From
that of liie woe^struck Bliinor, liberated
too late^ and weavibg in a distant solitude
a thousand fairy bowers for love and^ hap-*
piness to' dwell in^— from her atone bis na-
ture shrunk. . ** You may wound my lieart,^
4roUld he sighing say, '^througli eve^y
"vein; but my reason is still inflexiblej lior
is even that sweet ereature an argument
for my- sabmitting^to disgrace. — No J wheii

}6fi Tir£ WLMTES^, ice.

I, raked Aiy tye» to. thee, /deap Elliiioi^
mj coamo^ «k)i»1 b«iield in atarifi^I thai
poukt: enUtle m^ to omte !iriAb tibee.*^!
€Mfiot resoke to i^^lc tip «ven<«o ike wcn*
msa I adore^T'-jBeiler ^e «bodld weep «it
dead than secfetl^ deftpibe me wUhs jrei'ex*
ttliog.— Pajfe «^d preci^iM #tUl te the ^mx%
that £all: «|xhi m; .g;n»^i tbtit Jtenret couhl
J b«b(d4 one wbioh i¥«iiM tkbi sebrdlljr re«
proacii meir-r — rLetv^iafet^ my ffi#iii% <ad
wy fate : boaoar h^ Ip^itiierto been the ift«-
yAriabie f ulit of iiy iottductj, mir cto 1 ndir.
udopt another."

Fjraaa the iiMMAi the cukdrnMaAoKt^
Hj^k reatshed tbe ^aeen peaoe and ratt
were atraagera to h^.'^JSm tb^mtk of faef
)iean was ttoif ibe vidtim of ibe :lkM, mnl
fbat bear( laesl bleed tbcoegb bis unlsit
be coold be iadtneed to ^otif bivaielf ^
her mercj. A tfaownand emitsakka aneired
ium of a itady. pardo&^^a. wordy a wfa|
woidd bftve obtetQedit.^^To tbtsebe eret
leiplied wkb tf|e same coUeelsd atr, f'.ldMdt..
bad tbe Queea earlier dsewn bim lihi& m^
dulgeoce hk life bad never coafte.witftmtb^
oefi&iir^ of the law i b«t al eYen her. idk*

THE RECESS^ fcc. l€S

w^ bovMty ncm could only ]arolong him
theJaheiky of brealibmg^ he WAsjv9Hfigi aa
mlLfbf faer safety as in snbaitmon to bis
aefttoice^ rio resign a privilege irhicb had
heim abiirdbeo 4be moment it became his
only ooe/' An uRs^wer ihtis caleulaled fcot
toiieh t\m »ost ioikBkttnX hearty staJbhed
^bafc of flieidieihi yet.«fi, «in«&kfid» ia
gmfc htm a pardon^ would sianp hc^ db^
cUm^ Me wkh iqeycusahle weakoe69> sIm
i^ndenre&i enicry hour the meat tr^ii^ coon

Ah! why do I say the loosi tMjig^.
Ala9> there mm a. 6^ and foriom ok ¥u-
Mil in Covilmiafid vh^ i»offt Ihan^dlsd
wheti tfai^ opuct wteUjfeiice ccMiobed fewr.--^
Ai the swtonce of Baaex eximded to hia
bimi ^So«tbamfrt^M> the ^elalima of tih^
latter dbpatehed «ei expreas^ to his wife^
boping ab^. ^vonld arrive «« Loodoa time
wough to solicil Us ^rdoa of the Queett.
^Tk^ jnessenger foaiad 1ii<fe : imfoiiuimtt^
loi^B huoyed up With safety^ aelitttde>>aflA
many a gfm^ bope. When the afiprocH^
of boraes echoed throiigjh the reasote vai*:
Ity, no otlier emotioa was esioited ia either

f64 THE HECESS, &C.

than the fond and latent flatter arUiag
horn the idea that it might be one or both
of. the condemned EarU. — How terrible
was then the iranution in their minds when
fully informed of their desperate sitimticHi^
and bereft of ^ery resource expected mi»
ftry supplies ! The uilhappy wife of Souths
amptouj engrossed by her own shar^ in the
aJSiction^ observed nok its deep^ its deadly
effisct, on the intellectsof her equally suffer*^
nig friend ;-tilI the stupefakstion of EUinor
became intense and oKTious>. and the eril
irremediabkr.

- The human mind^ even when- most de^
tated^ is not equi4 to the influence of two
^>posing ; passip]»H*-a sterifice must be

. iaiidev and^ friend Aip yields talbve; Ladjr
Southampton posted- awiiy with uhremftting'
ditig€:nce| iBtr4istiag /her friend? to the oare>

. <^ faithful servant!^ who were directed to*
bring: her f oiw^tvd" mote- leisure^. ;TbcP
deep gloom* of the sweet ElUnor's mind^ in*
the course of -the jourtiey^ gave^way to ^
▼ague and irregufor gaiety^ ;. but as.this.had^
sometimes forei^aa bei^ re<tovery^^ so might h*
then^. had she. been: su:riv>unded with sucjii

TlCE llECESS, &e. 165

perfloiift as knew her ditpositiou.— 'Thoie
who had her in charge^ uftinforHfed of her
oiame, si^uation^ and wc^oded ^pirit^ ocmU
not reasonably.be expected to guard against
events thej could not possibly foresee. It
happened,. one day^ that while they were
xestiDg^ £^linor cast her eyes upon an ex**
tensive buildiogy full in sigh.t> and her wan*-"
dering imagtnation called it Kenilworth.-*-
An officious attendant inicvrme^ her it was
Fotheringay Castle,^--She wildly shrieked^
stretched forth her arms expressively to^
.wards the fatal mansiooj then tearing those
lovely tresses once hefiotre devoted to her
^calamity, ajid scarce grown to their usual
luxuriance^ .threw herself on the ground^
And relapsed into total in^ity.

But when Lady Southampton entemd
the prison 4>f her librd> upon whose aching
bosom she poured forth all her grief and
passion^ bis disturbed friend found every
fibre of his heart wrung ; and turning a
fearful, eager eye toward the door, felt a
horror not to be expressed, at finding no
one followed her. The afflicted wife wanted
presence of mind taconceal a truth which

166 THE RECESS, *C.

eoDsommated the fate of Esseir— ^a trutli
8o terrible^ tbat fain would he have b^-
ikfVJsd it ioTented by his friends to reconcile
htm* to hi» sentence. — Conviaoed^ at length
— *' now indieed do I feel the weight of my
bondd— now indeed am I » prisoner," would
he eKolaim. — ^'^ Oh> Ellinor, matchless El-
linor, that I coald fly to thee ! reoa^l once
-more that unequalled boul> which always,
like a frightened bird, forsakes its home
when misery hovers over it,— Thou, thou,
hast* broken a spirit equal to every other af-^
fliction^^thou hast made a coward of me-^
to sa^e thee, my lave, I could almost re-
solve, poorly t(^ condition for a disgraceful
life, and wish to survive my honour. Per*
suaded that his presence would have the
m»e effect it once before took at St. Vin-
cent's Abbey, he passionately solicited to
see hen This singtb idea seized upon his
iriind — it even became his s^femu' request-i-
his dying wish. In the hopeless state of
her disorder the effect of their meeting was
dreaded only on his acrcount ; but as intreaty
and' argument proved vain^ his friends at
length resolved to yield- to bis passionate,

THX RBtJESSj &C. 1^

km only* solicitation. The day was now
i^pointed for tb^ execotion of E^sex, and
tbe pardon of SoutbaiBpU^ gmnte^jl, wUch
alone he desired ;-*Hits ^11 his friends were
freely adraittii^d to his-pepson^ there was no
difficulty in leading, thkber the darling of
his hearl> id Itni habit of a yon^^ acconr*-
panied by ILady Soutbaniptoti.-r- — Worldfe
could not have bribed me to witness sUcJi
an interview. — Ah, dearest Ellinor! were
those senses tliey sqt eagerly dfcsited to re*»
store to thee> in reeKty a loss ? How, had
ihey beoit perfect^^, wo«ldi»»# thou hare sup-
ported tbe>tf«yi»g/»oe!ne>-^cpirrDg love, and
dffi€Hoa& fi-iendshrp^ dr«tgged thee to wit-
ness ?— How wouldestthou have fixed- thine
eyes^on the gloomy tower, or those gnard^-
ed gates through^ whidi- tky lover must so
iMQ4ie'b<Nrue> but nevermore should pass?
•— H<Mr imisl thy soul hate bled to behoM
those fine ftatnrcs a few hours were to se-
panaie from the heart which then gave them
such agomzedesppression! But that supers-
hilive misery wa» not ordained thee. — Re-
tired, beyond the reach of love itself
wet^^uXl tbe^viMfoo^ powers of that sns*

i6d THE RECESS, &«.

ceptible ^oullr^Thy yagae eyes cohfieBaed
not their everkating olgect— »tky ear caught
not his voice^-'HicM: did thy bosom answer
A^ith a single sighj the bnrsts of grief
which strutted at thai of thy lover^ still
exquisitely alive to every human affliction t
To thee his parting soul yet clung ; and
when his eyes, beheld thee no longisr, they
willingly shut out creation. He saw not,
from the moment of Ellinor's dfsparture,
friend or relation ; hut turning all his
IK>ntemplations towiu*ds the awful futuri^
in which he was so soon to launch, died to
this world even before his execution.

On the night which preceded that eventp
this l>i]Iet, equally addressed to my sister
(with whom the dear unfortimale resided)
and myself, was delivered :

'^ Dearj generous gufirdiaos pf the lost
angel my soul yet bleeds over,, receive in
this my parting blessing ; and pardon, oh,
pardon^ an incredulity but too severely pu«>
.nished by conviction 1 a conviction so ter^
rible as reconciles me to the death to-mor^-
jrow will bestow. Yes, ibese eyes have been
hlasisd wi|h beholding the p«le statue of

THE RECESS, &C. 1^9

my love, dead while, yet breathing —
speechles^-^lnsensate. — ^ — ^To the gathered
multitode-r:4he fatal scaffold— the axe which
separate* soi^l, and body, I tura for relief
when this remembrance presses upon me. .
*^ Adieu, ye faithful sisters of the gallant
Sydneyr-Oh I if intelligence too late should
visit die fair form bequeathe'd to your
^iendship, with sympathy sooth every ach*
ing sense.— —Yet wake no more to woe
my worshipped Ellinor ^-r-Still may thy
pui^ spirit slumber in, its breathing tomb,
till that appointed hour which, at length
unites tl^e toothy . ; ,"

: '.■ I .. .,■•■' '• '^' ESSE.:x.':.

Tower. ^ • : ; . .•..•'.: •;( :-.;,.i,

: It seemed as if in this .epistle he. enclosed
every lingering weakness of mortality; for
the reniaini^g hours of .his life were /de-
voted : solely to the duties of .reUgion,-^!*'
the flower- of manhocKj^ at the age of thrj&pv
and thirty,' this , en vied favourite- resigned
:every earthly distinction, i aijd ascended
the seaffold with a composure innpcence

TOL. III. I

J7® THE ItECEdS, 8CC.

sad He^veti: altme ciMi bestow. The tnelt^
intgrmtildttfdte too late bewailed to see his
glorious yctrth set thtw in blood,— His ear
»eaiight the geneial murmtir of sorrow «Mt
.applause? he cast a look of corrected know-
ledge on the spectators ; tbeti lifting his
eyes to HeaTen, serenely submitted to the
^xecuttoner; who severe* a head iffld
heftrt^ which> bad they acted in vmsoiii
might hate awed the world.

Of her so much beloved^ so gefaei>6udy,
CO fatally faithful^ little isiore remains to he
Wid.**-Neitfacrtime, care, ormedicine, ever
availed toward the restoration of those in*
telleefts which might only have proved an
additional misfortune — Yet even in this
state of insanity. Heaven permitted her to
Itecdme the instmrnent of a singular and
eMmplary vengeance.

. A year or more had ehrpsec^ dmring which
ixtr vtdtmity to6k all those iKuriable and
*feadftil formir peenfiar to itself .*-The dfe-
tWe^ of having ev^ry medical assistairee
iaoade me often bring her to London ; whcrt
one evening, with a degree of rejection

THE ll)SC£»S^ ko. 171

iMi4 dfti som^tim^ bleuded with iasaiHty^
she ehukd-tbe oat« of ber attepdatiU ; and
well koowing every avenue oJF the palace^
passed them all with wondejftil (aciWiy,

The Que^n, wholly sU6k in . the chilling
Blelancholy of incurable despair^ and, hope-
less age, resigned herself ap to the influea.ce
^f those evils.— Her l^ies were frequently
employed in reading t6 her^ which was the
<»ily relief her chagrin admitted .^-One me*
inarable ' nigbl it Was my l^ra — ^Elizabeth
dismissed every otl>er attendant^ in the
^vain hope of finding, a repose of which she
hmd for ever depiived. ijierself* I pursuied
my ti^ a long whilei when the time con-
sfHTcd with the oMers of the Queeti to
l^odtkce a silence so profouiid« that had
l[^oik her starts now and then recalled my
fM^dts, bardiy coaM my ; ^If-closed eyes
h»we dSscerned the pages over which they
SKandered.«*-The door flew suddenly opeo-^
•• btna so fair-r-so fragile — sp calamitous
ftpp^hrtA tbere> that h^dly dorst my beat-
ilig bean toall. it EAinoi;. The Queea started
tt|^ wslk ft feeble quicknessj^ but bad only
I 3

172 THE EECESSj &C.

power to falter out a convulsive ejacbkilion.
I instantly remembered that Elizabeth be-
lieved her dead^ and iroagirted this her
spectre. The beauteous phantom (for surely
never mortal looked so. like an inhabitant of
another woiild) sunk on one knee, and while
her long garments of black flowed grace-
fully over the floor, she lifted her eyes
toward Heaven, with that nameless sweet-
ness, that wild ineffable benignity, ^mad^
ness alone can give; then meekly bowed
before Elizabeth.— The Queen, heart-struck,
fell back into her seat, without voice to
pronounce a syllable. — Ellinor arose, and
approached stiU nearer ; standing afew mo-
inertts, choaked and silent. ^' I onee was
proud) was passionate, indignant/' said the
sweet unfortunate at last, in the low- and
broken voice of inexpressible anguish, '^, but
'Heaven forbids me now to be so— Oh ! you
who was. surely born only to chastise my un-
happy race, forgive me — I have no longer

• any sejvse but that of sorrow.*' ^Again she

sunk upon the floor, and gave way to sob-
bings she struggled in vain to suppress.. Tiie

THE RECESS, &C, 178

Qdeen dragged me . (ioiivulsively to her,
imd. burying her face in my bosom ex»
claimed indistinctly,' — ^' save me— «ave
me — oh,' Pembroke, save me from this
ghastly spectre!" — ^^ Essex—Essex-^Iiu*-
sex!" groaiied forth the prostrate EUinor,
expressively raising her white hand at each
toaching repetition. The violent shudderings
of the Queen, marked the deep effect that
fatal natne took gn her»— '^ Somebody told
me," continued tl>e lovely wanderer, " tliat
he was in the Tower, but Lhave looked there
/or him till I am weary — is there a colder,
safer prison, then? But is a prison a place
for yotir favourite, knd . can you condema
him to the grave? — ^Ab^ gracious Heaven^
strike > off his head-^is beauteous head !— ^
Seal up those sparkling eyes for ever.^-Oh,
np, I thought not," said she with an al-
.tered voice, — " So you hid him iere after
all, only to torment me.— But Essex will
not 'see me suffer — will you, my Lord?
So — so— so'/'^the slow, progress of her
,eyes round the room^ shewed, she in ima-
gination, followed his steps.-i-^'' Yes — yes,?
I 3

I7i THK RfiCESl, StC^

.---«dck8 ^e, with reviveii tpirit$>^ I tKovgbi
that voice would pre?aiil^ for ^ho cottM e^ef
wemt k?-<-aiid only I need die then ; wctl^ I
do not mmd tbalv^I will steal into \m pn^n
vmi suffer in his piace^ but be fture yoo don't
tell faim so^ for fae loves 4»^-^afa \ dearly doea.
he love me^ hot I alone n^ed righ at Cliat>
yoii know/' And sigh she did indeed*— Oh !
what tst world of woe wat drawn up in a sin*
gle breath !*-Th6 tong silence which followf
ed^ induced the Queen onoe more to raise^
tier head-^tbe same sad ofcject met her
«yet^ with this diiSfereneej that the sweH
<rreature' iiow stobd up again/ and pvtlifi^
one while hand Id her forehead, she half
raised the other, as earnestly deman^Sng
still to be heerd^ Aongh her vagtie e^ea
shewed her ptjrpose * had escaped her.-*
*' db, new. I remember it/* resumed she,
'* I do not mind how yon have me murdeN
ed, but let me be boned in Fotherin'gay;
and be sore I have women to attend me^
be sure of ibat— you know the reason •^
This incoherent reference to the unpreoe-
dentedrfate of her royal mother, affected

Eliaatedi d0epl]p»— '' B^ oeuM p^t you let
ttie ofltee Aiore Me hin before I ii^ V' remined
lite 4ear nmndei^ff.-^' Oh ! irbi4t ple««iure
voirld it^itefliK to videUm 00 tb^Tbr<H)0!
^Ob, 1 1^0 see him Aetei" ettd^indfd 4beiii

^Rajeslic K^Aii, how giottOo^ hi bw beauty !
^Who would lH>i die <wr Oiee* my £^ic t'' ^
-— •'' iiof^ eevhr, oeter , »e9erj.0b«Ul /we
him!^ groftiied fbrlb die egeiiiaed EU-
«i^b^-*-~'' Me mftffkd «0; hmV' nf
fuoMd oor fritadi» rtpJlyi^ ^^eie knai^
nwry ei^eeehr^'^ <>bj» ^(Oi I iBook werniog
bf my abler i — I wiU b^ve na^l^^e bUnx^
anarriages; you see i bete iu> ringj" wildly
dflfdaybig berbeods, ^^ exeepi e bleckoue;
m black one indeed, if you ktk^w all — but
I need nob tell jfom that— have 1/ my Lord?
.-4ook up— here is my love — he himself
shall tell you/' She caught the hand terror
' bad caused Elizabeth to extendi but £aiatl|r
ebrieking, drewbaek her owti, and surveyed
it with inexpressible horror. ''Oh, you have
dipt mine in blood !" exclaimed sbe, '' a
mother's blood! I am alt ^oataounated^it^
14

176 THE RECESS, &C.

runs cold to m j very beari«r-rAh^ no^^t is
—it is^the blood of Essex ';-^and have.j^oa
muFderjedhim at ]^t>in spite of ^your dotage,
and your -promises? "murdered the most
n<:^Ieof -manlwiud ! and all becliuse be
'COuld nbtlove you. Fye. on your wria-.
ties! — ^efin one love age and ugliaess?-*-
Qh, how those artrficial loeks^ and all your
paintings \ sickened him l-^^How have we
laughed at such preposterous folly !-^But I
"hive done with laughifag now^^we will talk
"ofc graves, and shrouds, and ohnrch-yards
;. — >-MethiolcS'I fain woald know wl^re my
pdor sister lies buried — you will say in nay
heart perhap»<---it has indeed entop^jbed all i
love; yet there must be some little anknown
comer in this world, one might calL her
grdvt, if- one could but. tell wlierO: to
find it: tliere she. rests at last, with her
•Leicester— i-he was your favourite too — a
bloody, bloody, distinction." — ^Tbe Queen,
who had with difficulty preserved her senses
till this cutting period, now sunk back- in a
deepswoon.'
'"The distress of my situation cannot tw

THE EEC ESS, &C*. 177

expressed. — Fearful lest any attempt tp
samoion a single being should irritate tlic
injured £llinor to execute any dire revieoge,;
for which I knewnot how she was preparecl^
bad not Elizabeth at this juncture. lost her
senses; I really think mine would have failed
roe. I recollected that the Queen,. by every,
testimony^, was convinced that the unhapfiy
object thus fearfully brought before* hec^
died in the coaotry long Mnce; nor was i^
wise orsafe^ for those who had imposed on
her^ now; to acknowledge the deceptioOi
" So-— so-»-8o/'. cried EUinor, with a start,
'^ would one have thought it possible tp
break th^hard heart after all f. and yet I
have done it--*She is gone to-^-no^ not gone

to Essex/' ^^ Let us retire, my sweet

Ellen/' said I^ - eager to gef her out o£
the room> ' lest the Queen should suffer
for want of assistauce.-^*' Hush," cried
she, with increasing wildne^s, '^ they wil^
say we have behei^ded her also.^^But wh^
are you?*' fixing her hdQow eyes wist*-
fully on me, '' I have seen you somewhere
ere now> but I forget all faces in gazing

t^B fat fti^etftSj ftc

6n his pafe 6tt€i— I knoi¥ hot wbet* 1 M9^
tit)r wh^re ybH ^obld hikv6 ine gO)" ftddM
8lie^ sbflly 8fghing> ^^ but yoix look )i&^ ah
ingel of llghti arid may be> yoti Will tfeairy
fib« with ji9ti tb Jft^aVeh.'* I teised thfe
blessed fninuti^ df eomplianc6> ahd drawing
hw inourning liood over toei" fac^> led hfer
ib the little cottrt> #h«re %y tlefvafit^ WaiWfi
fcy dismission ; wbftA cottimitirngh^ to tbeit
Ibharge^ I rettirhed to%ak^ the ladrel^ iik tiMs
mtich^biBr^ through WhO^ itiadtlertent
^tambers alone B^Tiiror had beteb «tftibled tb
ipass to the closet of the Que6h }' k dHnxmr
ilahce which trombitted With * vaHtty of
bthers to gire this Mratige Tisihttbn the ^^
ftearantcie of tfiHiig ffi^ernatural.

Etery cotttmoit retaetedy TTSS tried iti Vil^fi
Id recover SKsabeth^ tM i^e applickHbtfs
ttf tile faculty ^l<Mie cotoM recall her winter}
but the lerror she had endtirrei ^hbok ^httttL
^ ever. Sbadderihg with a|>pr^ehsid9J^
for whfch oniyl c^n account, ishe 'ofkch
holds incomprehensible coilrferences; c6m^
filainfc of t«i^ ide^l Visitor ; comnfeAid^ every
«Dot %Q b^idtat; ^et Itill fiAtdetihe stek

h«r^ and orikrs tier JU> be kepi out in vain.
Ttie suppoded dkn^ard of tfao«e in fmtitig
incenses a temper eo nmay causes concur to
render peerish, and lier unmerited ang^
^oduces the verj disregard she codiplaiAt
of< Rttge and fear unite ttms tx> liarais her
AeeMe a^eae/ and aooeterite ibe decay pf Mr
^^B^. Wfaen lliese acute leasationB subside,
SHef aad d^pak take pottesmn of her
whole si»i);-**iior does she aiffisr lefis £nom
we s^ise of her decaying -power. Uawii^
ling to resign a ^ood she is mxedik to tan^^
«i^ thinks crery hand tisat ap^MCioadies is
eager to vaatch a soeptm she <^iU not even,
ia dying. be^e«th. Oh, sareeft Matilda ! if
^t indeed tiioii jarvivest lia ^itaeis this
dtriae Tengeaoce^ ihy geotle attars would
mhaln even thy most fliorW eweaiyi «thoa-
conMbat not without pity beb^ ihe ifiipe*-
Mi £iiaabetb^ kat io tbe caoiaMHi «on»&rte
of Iqgbty air, naaficbmeot, and pleasut^:;
that miglHy viiad which will fae ihe ob}6«t
tBf foturtty a« it hm bean of jpaat wtmier,
i^resentiiig Isow hut a hreaiuagaaeikiealo of '
the ficaiiy of Immaoitf .-*-^, that.aroBud^
16

rSO THE RECESS, ,&C.

: her were assembled all thpse aspiriog sould
who^ wishes centre in dominiqn; were they
once to behold this distinguished victim of.
ungoverned passion, able to. rule every be-,
ing but herself, how WQuld they. feel the
potent example! Ah, that to. them w^re
added the many who scofniog ^cial lovie^
coiifine to self the blessed affections which
alone can sweeten the tears, we all ace born
to shed!— Gathering round the w:eary couch
where the emaciated Queen .withers in royal
solitude, they might at oaeeleam urbanity;^
and correct in time errors, which, when ia*
dulged, but too Severely punish th^selves. .

Absorbed and blended in the. busy and
woeful scenes this heart-breaking history-
presented tomy mind — an aoxious^partaker^
in each succeeding calamity— I. seemed ta,
live over again the melancholy years we had
been separated, in the person of my sister. —
My own misfortunes — my dariing daughter^
the whole world vanished from before my
. . eyes — deep-fixed on objects no longer exist-
ing, or existing but to double my affliction :
5 : . - *

1

THE RECESS, &C. 181

I remained almost the statue of despair ;
every seose seeming rivetted on the manu*^
script I held ; and buried in so profonqd a
reverie, that Lady Arundell judged it pru-
dent to interrupt it. The consolatory re-
flections her friendship dictated died on my
ear, but reached not a heart which deeply
pursued the sad chain of ideas thus pre-
sented to it. — Starting ^s from a frightful
sleep^ Tf atlast^ sunk on my knees^ and
raising my eyes, with the manuscript^ ' at
once toward Heaven — ^' Ob, idighty Au-
thor of universal being!" sighed I^ '' thou
who hast lent me fortitude to struggle with
almost unequalled trials, support my, ex-
hausted soul against this last, this greatest.—.
Let not the killing idea that it is a human
infliction that troubles the pure springs o£
piety, whence alone the weary spirit can draw
consolation.— ^—Rather strengthen me with
the holy belief that it is thy visitation foi;
some wise end ordained ; so shall my ene-i
mies sleep in their graves uncursed, and my
heart remain in this agitated bosom un-f
broken. Alas, who knows but by thy divine
appointment I may be at last permitted to

|82 THE ItSCXM, fte.

recall tlie scattefed senMs of tbi& Amt jan^
foitanate? ta sooth that deepiy-^woande^i,
that embiUered spirit! Ah/ Ellen! — ^Ah^
my siflter !'' groao^d I^ deluged at last with
salutary tears,—** changed— lost — annihi-
lated as thoa art^ xny nnaltered affection
must ever desire thee. — I need not i»qiiii!e
whether she is here — ^your tympatiiiciiigj
generoas tears^ dei^ Lady AmiideU^ lAferm
me that tihe same roof shelters the twin
heirs of misfortttfie."

Although Lady Arandeli acknowledged
that my sisler was under her pmtectioa,
fain w^uld she have persaaded me to delay
a meetings so touching/ tillviore able to wp-
portit; bttt> deaf to lihe voioe of leasm^
Mture^ pOMwrfol nirtufe^ asserted her rights,
and my sod obeyed her impassioiaed im«
pulse. The deep, the eternal smpressiom of
thtsagoniaing meeting, recurs even now wkh
all its first force. I had ahuddered set die
murder of my mother — ^I hoi gnaaned on
li)e cofiia ef my husband — I had wept b
thousand times o?er the helfiieas udknt whb
trembled mth way bosom— but aH the^e ter^
ribte seamtioDB we»<miibiiied wfamumy sad

THE R£CE8$, SCC. L83

eyen rest^ on those still so dear to me^ — .
when I sftw all their playfuHustre quenched^
and set in insensibility — v^en I felt that
h^art> once the seat of ^every feminine grace
and yirtue^ throb wild and unconscious
against one which 1 thought every moment
would laicape from its fiarrow boundary,—
But let me quit a scene too trying for recol-
lection—too touching for description. Oh^
£ilinor-^my sister J

THE RECESS, &c.

PART VI.

Ti

IME^ which inures us to every kind of
sufferings at length strengthened my mind
against the heavy sadness impressed on it by
the fate of this dear unconscious sufferer.
It was with true gratitude and concern I
learnt that Heaven had called to itself the
amiable and accomplished sister of Lady
Arundell^ who caught a cold during her at-
tendance on the sick Qaeen^ which ended

/

THE RECESS, &C. 185

ID .a.consamption^ and carried her off a fenr
months after Elizabeth. Actuated to the
last by the subliniest sympathy and friend^
ship. Lady Pembroke had added* to the
moiety of the suTveyorV treasure (which she
had caused to be dug for in the spot specir
fied) a' sufficient sum to secure the dear un*
fortunate Ellinor every comfort her forlorn
state admitted ; placing with her Alithea,
the favourite maid she had so tenderly com-
memorated, and committing both to the
charge of Lady Arundell ; who with equal ,
generosity received so anxious a trust* A
virtue thus consummate sanctifies itself, and
can receive neither glory or grace from the
gratitude of hunianity ; yet surely the inr
cense of the heart arise;3 even to heaven !
accept it then, oh, gentlest of the Sydneya,
although insphered there 1
• The strange and unaccountable difference
in my sister's opinion and my own, respect*-
ing Xiord I^icester, supplied, me a source of
endless meditation : yet, as this difference
beca^ie obyious only from the time we ar-
rived in London, I could not help imputing
her blindness to tbe same cajase she assigned

186 7«B Ef:e£f89 ke.

Ibr nine. — Certtioly she imbibed tbe ub^

maohhioh (begerer fateUjr expiated) «lwii3ci
in«li«ed faint to AidStt 'm li^leman bom
•tcrjr way to supeiaede faim* I saw bot too
plainly^ ffom tb^ iirritalion and vehemence
to which her temper from thai perbd be^-
came sobjeet, bow much a woouui iosen*
«ibiy adopts of the disposition of him to
whom she gives her fa«irt* I had oot^ how*
mrtr, looked on her cboioe with fte coa«
lemptaous asperity with which she rofigavded
]nine.;^Lord Essex, I will frankly owit^ ere
yet he rose into fav'oiiur^ was gifted> like my
sister, with every oaptivaiittg advantage of
* satare.-^Tbe fire at^ii' thgi^abusness which
afterwards marked fa^ <5baracter, then lived
only in his eyes : atid the cultivated nnder-
standing he possessed pointed every glance
-with elegance and expression. One must
have loved Lord Leicester to see Essex
with indiflference— one must have loved him
to the excess I did pertiaps, not to remark
the attachment my sister liow avowed. —
Innumerable instances of it flashed on my
memory which I was astonished ^eo^d at

THE RECES$/&e. 187

«be SMweni escape «€. If she wa$ iotle^
mofc clear i^ted tban Aiyself-^-bufc whj
«k> X enter oa to vaia a discossioa ? — Alat,
4ear EUiiior ! beloved Leicester ! I have ii^
right Imi to lameot ye.

Ifaad likewise gathered anodier paioful
ioKxhi fram the story of my sister* England
iiad gained a King in the sou of Mary
l^iu'tj but her uoforttinate daughters must
JKkt hope to acquire a brother. Frcna the mo*
nent I had been informed that mine haid
acceded to the throise^ the tender mother^f
lieairt bad fluttered with the idea of present*
iog to him the lovely girl so nearly allied
^o has blood* Although i^ardleas of dW-
^mcfioB ki my own peison^ I could not torn
asy eyes on the fair daughter of Lord Lei-
cisster without coveting for her every human.
adyantage.--**-^Unwilling to be swayed by
prcjudibe^ I eeparately C9nsulted with die
ftw fiienils fortune bad left me ; who ail
-conciurred in giving «me an irapresaicMi of
the King^ degrading^ if not contemptible.
They represented him as national^ vait^
fiedaatic^ credulotts^ and partial: .wanting
^oeroBity t« bestow it royal funeral on die

188 THE RECESS, &C.

body of the royal martyr, his unhappy
mother; yet daily impoverished to mean*-
sess by favourites and parasites. Enslavedl
by the imperious spirit of a Queen ht
neither loved nor valued; and only en'»
dearcd to the people he governed through
4he fickleness of tlieir natures, ivbich are .
always gratified by change. As those who
spoke thus coiild have no possible interest '
in vilifying or depreciating him, I could
not but give some credit to th^ir account;
•and made it my first concern to i see thi^
•King; anxious to read in his countenance
a confutation of every charge. How un^
accountably was I disappointed when mjr
senses took part with bis enemies I—- I «b^
held with astoni8hnient> in the person of
James, youth without freshness, royalty
without grandeur, height without majesty
•»-—^ an. air of slyness and a secret servilitf
charactQri2sed features, which, though de-
void of the graces of either distinguished
parent, wanted not regularhy ; and a
stooping slouch. gait gave an invincible
awkwardness to a figure nature had endued
wUh symmetry. Offended and repelled.

THk RECESS, &c: 189

my heart spnk again iuto its own little
mansion, nor claimed the least alliance
with his.— 'I determined to watch at leisure
bis real character and cbndact^ nor ven-*
tiired to confide to his care the single trea*
sure, Heaven had permitted me to retail,
of all it once bestowed. Resolved to edu-
cate my daughter suitable : to the rank she
ought to have beld^ I thought it wise to
bury in my own bbsomy at least for a time>
the secret of her right to it ; and the
eccentric turn of mind every succeeding
day rendered more obvious in.the,King^
made me continually applaud the modera-
tion and foresight which had guarded -me
on this interesting ocdasion.
- I, however, judged it -necessary to as-
sume a title no human being envied^ or
offered to dispute ^ith me >f' and to support
it properly without encroaching on my
daughter's valuable acquisition, T found
that I must resolve -to uevisit Kenilwbrth
Castle^ now the property of another family.
w»In the building were contained cabinets
ao secure and unknoilimj tthat Lord Lei-
ceMer always deposited there^ ere ' he

190 fKE RX^ESft/ &C*

jdiif aeyed to London^ such papers^ jelird^
Md other valnablesr^ as he thougiht it uoaafiB
to take with him. (hi the isemoirabk night
when la«t we quitted that pleasant dwellings
I had assisted him to plaoe4a the moft corn
9«is of these leserToirSj several eaaakets^ fot
_whi^h he jseemed . aziore than commonljF
adxioiis; and I add^ to their nuinberj dtat
contadtting Mrs* Marlow'a papers^ B.ni the
testiaibmsds ^ my birth. As if actuated
bjr sGtaae sad pre-sentiment that i>e should
never more re«-vittt,fhis spot^ mjr Lord took
^reali pa&as to &nuikrize me to tfas ina*
m^ptoent of t^t s^ings^ and gave int» mj
biands duplicates of the keys. By a singnlat
chance^ amidst, all the tranMtiotaB of my
fate> these keys remained>. and seemed con-
^nually^ to remitid me, how importaaii to
my daughter's welfare it might one dar^ be
W recover the caskets.*******SaGll » mptite
ialone could ocmquer the xeluctuce I &Ii
again Uy behold « «pc^ sacred to the me-
mory of a hswband ao beloved. Yon wifl
^caU tkn^ fmfaApi^ a cfatldiA weidcbeo^ afker
^ I bad batae;; bob tiua, the miml^leeblar
aad fieebler £m^cif«py conflict, tomctitaies

«nks under a triite^ . mfttr rdpelbig iixt
more powerful aUacks of lU^fbrtuae irttk
magoaiiimky. ...

. Lady Anniisll, witk bar mual kkidiiess^
proposed accompanying me.; and we aor-
rowfeUy meaMiFed once ^mom ffaose mUea
which so strongiy revived in my misil
moit inteveatiog/ rememfcraoces. At Cow&i^
tty we r^ted to inqaire into the (diaffaeftsc
o£ tbe.proieat owmef of Kenil worth Caatb^
We wei« told that thia mi^nificent man**
fioQ, which I had left ^t for the reception
of a.Soveareign, had long been in the hsnds .
of a fflifier^ whose avarice had induced him
to airip it of ita princely omamenta; noi
leas ffom tiie deaiire of conterting thoate
into meney^ than to d^cive it of ev^ry
charm tli«t might tempt the enqmimg
traveller to knock at the inhospafeabk gafce»
Yet^ even wilen tkiaxoin was eifeeted^ the
alf qctuw Itself remained ao com^te a
piece ai alchilmtare aa to lUtiact a number
•I uAw^ome mitoia; U eardode whauiit
hm had now \«A te to aonae attimfat^lmers^^
Md MsidiA hkmAi faiiireakota apartaimit.
^e ehagria ibia tstiMidittaxy leml^tioA
could not but occasion in my mind^ waa

1^ THE RECESS, &C;

increased when* I recollected bow hard it
would be, perbaps^ to gsin admission ; and
even when that was obtained^ we knew not
whether the only room I wished to lodge
in was now habitable. Lady Arundell,
with 'her. usual foresight^ (advised me to
seem to have no other motive for this visit,
than a desire to re*purchase the Castle ;
and when shewn through it, to appear to
be struck with so severe an indispositiou, as
soon as I reached the chamber vi'hich con- .
tained the babihets, as should render it
impossible . to reniove me ; leavtng.it to her
to' -reconcile the owner to so troublesome
te'ii) trader, by* the most lavish geneirdsity.
A fidesse of this kind alone coidd. ascertain
me. any success, and the sibkliness of my
Bspi^tj I was sure> would snfBciehtly cor-
roiborale such an assertion.
* We set out immediately, that by a|Xiv-
ing in the evening we might have a pre^
tence for passing the night there.-^My
ftoul .turned ifrom the well-known scene^ and
aickeded sUke at sight of the the mviving
.verdure, and tfae«iiletidid.maiisi|ori> to lQ.e>
alasy only a gay mantoklamt Humbly I

THE RECESS, &C.. \9y

solicited entrance at a ^ate which once
flew open whenever I appeared ; but/ ah,
though the exterior was ;lbe same, how
strange seemed .the alteration within !«— l^o
more did ihe liveried train of assiduous
domestics assemble Xo the distant winding
of the huntsman's horn .-^No -longer did I
rest in gilded galleries, whose pictured
sides delighted- one sense, while, their cool-
ness refreshed aaother. No longer* could
I, even in jdea, behold the beloved, t^e
noble owner, whose gracious mien endear-
ed- the welcome it.convej.ed — A change
which jarred every feeling had taken place.-
A numerous body of diligent mechanics,
ivere plodding in those halls in which Eliza-
beth bad ieasted, and their battered sides
hardly now informed us where *be rich,
tapestry used to hang. . My ears were sud-
denly stunned with the noise, of a. hundred
looms; and the distant lake once covered
with gay pageants, an^ resounding only to
the voice of pleasure, presented ua another
scene of industry not less busy,, strange,
and surprising. By incidents of this kind,,
VOL. Ill, K ' .

19* THB ltECE»», &€•

one becomes patnfullyiin^ instantaneousfy
seosiUe oF achrdRciiig into Hie. Wlien first
we Hud oofselves sftiling with ttre imper-
ceptible current' of time, engrossed either
by the Amger o#'onr 8tti»itien> or enchant-
ed' with its prospeets, we gfidit swiftly on,
scai^ce ^^«rbfe* of ofMP progress, tiH the
^^Feaav fcvMIs some ftvountespot : afas, sa
▼i^bfe wflV^be the #e9ohitio& of the shortest
iftterWP, Ihal We grew- oW in m moment,
auct sobtiNt enee meire to the tide, willing
rather to share the- ratii than review it.

Among the- few servants retained by the
meegne master' of this^ desofated mansion,
&Eke appeared who immediately recalled him«
self to my mind by the nanw of Gabriel
-f recoHeeted* his baring been wardcti of
the outer lodges. The titlie by which I
w*s annotinced-^the weed I still' continued
ts^wear-^overcame a wretch already bowed
t^- the earth- by age, infirmity, and penury :
Add? wh^en to these circumstanGes wa« super-
added' the-remembra«ce of the pfetitrfurand
peaeeftil days he had known under a Coird
ever mtmificcnf to his domestics, gratitude

b^dtoe= agony, and tiref po6i^ oM man wnk*
iir a fit? al my. feet. An^inddfent like this
might well havfe affeiiled ah indiff^ent
s^ctatoj*.---! was sca^c^ raort sensfl>k thau
hi^^elf : and' the alat'm soon- spread thi'oug^
thift- faborioiis^ fticfcbmiifcs, till k- we«^ coft*
veyed' t<y Sir Hiita^ite^' ISIdl^t^^
rdiasly he e^m^rgied- St^xA- hib apiir^iient, atid^
as'tlie^hamhl^'di^wd^Midis tifUy ibr htm, he
misasured me' al^r o^ mth' bis e^e^ and
seemed- lo^t in con^^tUi'ecki tbemiljjectof
my Visit.-" My^^sB v^*m yee im my handy
and part of its contents'' i^ tbdse of some'
persofts^ ^ho had lent- a i^ad^y assi&tan^.
Whether this,- o^ ^e ^^n ddicacty of my
lobksi i»t)er6fiited^him, t kniD^tf H^t^bttt every
cafr^-flirt*6W(^d fenttir^ grndfaally relax-ed as
hie' ajj^Wadhed^ me, iSHrivkig^ ill? tbiii to
sj>fteti' infi[^ the smilb of benef^oiefiee. I
r^J96 to>m«m<n[ bifr <iotilP(6diis 'sdluUtSdnv and
iillt>k«gf^ him,- that \\4)€^ kc^ E^pa^ed' thr
\^ll& of this^ Ga^le, J w^< itfr m1l^reiis> the
dfefer an* hajfp)^ ^ife of LoM' Lieicester;.
bot ](^r6e)^iiig nnrcei^m isppr^hetisiatis of
. sittHe^ r^m<R^ (^hialf bagaii again ta«catltrat^t

lif :

Ig6 THE RECE5S, k-C*

his brow^ I added^ that sensible I bad last
every right in a spot yet dear to me^ Lcame
to enquire whether he was disppsed to part
with it^ and to rescue from poverty such
worthy servants of its late noble owner as had
alike outlived their labour^ and him who.
should have recompensed it. What heart
is insensible to that virtue in which we

alone can resemble our Maker? Bcr .

iievolence, like religion^ awes even those
it cannot win. The miser loudly applauded ,
my liberality : and by a greater effort on his
part, allowing for the difference of bur
cliaracters, invited me to spend the night
in the Castle. The chtoiber 1 had been
accustomed to. inhabit he called his best^;
and thither was I conducted ; 1 was not mi« .
provided with the means. of ensuring my<
oWn. welcome, > and my servants haying
spread the cold viands. they brought,' Sir
Humphrey's spirits grfe^ light, over luxuries :
he was not to pay for. A temptation so
sjgreeable prolonged his stay, aud I ; at
length disco vei^ th^jt the only, way to;
shorten iiis visij. wa^ld be (o compliment

THE RECESS, &C. 1^7

him with, all that remained ; seeing mj
servants^ in compliance with the hint, were
about, to convey it out of the room^ fear
lest any should be lost by the way prevailed
over the hilarity of the moment,, and he de-

*« parted with the wine. ' i

With an impatient beating heart I raised
the tapestry, which providentially had been
preserved in this room less from its beauty

- than antiquity, as it was so worn that it

'- bad long b^en pannelled in many places.-^i^
Behind the bed we discovered the secret

' spring of the cabinet, which I opened with^
out any difficulty ; and with the assistance

"of Lady Arundell took dowq the well-

'remembered caskets, pausing at intervals
to weep over all the tender ideas the sight
of them recalled eo forcibly to my memory;
then raising my eyes toward Heaven, while
devoutly thanking the God who thus pros-*
pered my xemaining wishes, I almost fan^
cied I beheld the beatified spirit of him who

' concealed these treasures.

Lady .Arundell would not rest without in-^
specting tJieir contents. The largest was
' k5

"fiile^ vriA f|uaaily ftftpeK^ bonds^ Qocititsc^^

iote}ligibie^ add dll useless. Tbe D^ji^t
4Dantaiiu?d letters aoad Iktje oriixunefiid^ ]ess
furecioMS ffXHn idndr iotiiasic Kabie tt)^
tlneir analogy lo -parJkicttiAr fiv^nte.; undft
tiiese was a ^It easkei filied with jewels^
aiKl avJaat was ia^aiXeiy iiiore valuable^ the
MibtbeQticated bostfis aoiit acikQawiedgfla^o^
A>f all &be sams Lotd Leicester luwl ptpvi*
4eiU]y deposited ia otknv aapuaUie^^ and i»f
which I kn£v not tbajt any DMmoraiidft&i
Metoaifi^. This ivil$ %9 Doble an aj^bjflli
io the bequesit whiirb ajr^^dy tipri^d mj
0W0eiMfiYff, ^atit 460191^ in* me 0« If i$r

IfndPW jwpi'; ^ktl^ th^ Almigt^^y, ^j^i«s

^^'m wii^B ir^ ^i©fe ^i«» syM »v<^*^ h^

U y^<HH h»ir^ bc^n imi^^d^Uiie fpr mt to
bnvQ pres^rte^ ibEiMigfa m mwy dbsp^xle
yiicismiudes.

The next casket wa^ a gilt horn Aua fiaod
i»<Hh^r to tb9 diurli&g of her hi»Ai^ ii £oq-
immd $\i th^ iestiuQuiab of the Qaee« of

TllE &£C£6Sy fee. 139

Scots, ««d other parties -eotecerceiGi, on
the subject of my birtb, wkb tfee jooniract
lof marH^ge beiween JLord liek^esl^ and
-myself* I felt ricb 'm these recovered rights:
and 4hough pr^eoce might never permit
me to daiiuL allktnce W4th King J^tnes^ yet
to bequeath to isy daughter the ^ower 6t
doiug &o at ivbatevet* period it shouki ap*
pear adv«a4i^geou» was a ^reat cOildolatioa
lo.me.

i^tdjr ilrvodell «nd I |)aasefcl part of d^
mgbi. io packiog tbes« vabubka iu ^empty
imwisM btOQgbt for that f«irpo«e; theft
dosiiig the secret cabinet^ «nii living mo
traces of our search £»r it» iire retii^ la
test. We departed early the oex I moruing^
oanyiag wiih us thai «nckatt domestic of
ImA Leicetter, on whom memory had so
jpOiverfully operated, and tw^o others, who,
long since expelled from tb« Castle^ sought
a miserdble subsistence in the baiulets
fLrouad it It joysed my very heart tojsiipf
ply to these poor wretches a loss irrenier
diable 4^ith respect to myself^ and the pro-
k4

500 THE RECESS^ &C*

fouod attachment of their few remaining
days' amply rewarded me.

Through the intervention of the friendB
J yet possessed, some eminent merchants in
London undertook to get the bonds> nate9^
8cc. duly acknowledged; and in process of
time such considerable sujns were of con-.
sequence recovered as ascerVadned to nay self
and child bur accustomed affluence* Years
and misfortune bad only cemented the anH
cient friendship between jne and Lady>
Arundell. — I added my income and familj

to hers. Her house wa« fortunately so^

near London as to allow me the advantage
of procuring the first instructors for mjj
daughter ; and the infirm state of Ladj
Arundeirs health fendering h^r as mudik
a prisoner from necesshy as I was fconi.
choice, both insensibly found> in thf
iQipi:ovement of my . daughter, a mild
and growing satisfaction, which mrore
than, made amends for the world we
shut out.

■ Ah! could I desire a greater pleasure?
Pardon, Madam, the fond extravagance of

THE RECESS, &c/ , 201

iifiatemal love, amf allow me to present to
you the darling of my heart in her six-
teenth year. Already something taller than
myself, to a form that- united the strictest
symmetry with the wild and variable graces
of glowing youth, my Mary added the
perfect features of her father, exquisitely
feminized by k complexion transparently
fair, and a bloom alike delicate and vivid ;
ber hair, of the golden brawn I have de-^
scribed as peculiar to his, fell below her
waist itt a profusion of artless ringlets,,
heightening her beauty even to luxuriance.
' — If she had borrowed any thing -from me
it was thecoilected modesty of her mien ;
and from my sister she had stolen that pe-
netrating, fascinating smile those two alone,
of all I ever saw> were gifted with :— alas>
it was now wholly her own !— ^Although
lightness and elasticity characterized her
figure, every limb was rounded even to po-^
lishing; and never did I ccmteraplate the
soft turn of her white arms when raised to
touch the lute, without thinking those more
perfect than even her face. — Her voice
K 5

WHS no les^ s^fre^t i^ spefbiog Umn in siQg.
ii^ ; with tbi» d\ffer^^^, tbl^t IP 4hf fiful
|he flpf^aecl tl^e ^ov\ ^ pleasuire, i;^ iU^
IsiS^ elevait^ it Vn rapturc^Her ^nd^r^
standing waji; stroiog and pwetr^M^gi y«t
d§Uc{)te ^pd r#6fied; her s^nsU^il^ (thi^
^%% formed of ^U he^ foe}ipgi^ W?s r^^^i^f
deep than «rdf^(, Mf^t^ripal eyp^ri^iioi^
hiid ii^iodarated tUf e^^hu^a^pi i^^ideni I9
yovHi, ilor ?rw \% ^Vl^WHs i» agy iq#|aw«
\fu% the lavd of l^oiiwi^dge, lacw^ap^ vm^
xcmiMng VI tf r »*«di^ bookji ^r^ Ihhf
only extravAganc^, ^^d J^nm h^ <«}y rc>t
lax^iop. To GQfnpei^fK^ |pr t^e wP^dly
pleiMimres I iodge^ W pf«4fi^t ta <V^i^
feff of, I wa« tovj^ ill th9¥ t^ ij^i^ JKH
taste nati^rally led : I kl^ift mw^km» on
prpose to appQwp^y h^, an4. fqupd VA
the years fill?4vpl?y tcMiWlf wdhe??n|T
ploymeotft^ that s^^t (tK»ug(i ^cm^P€4
pleas^r^ paseDts Qply knqw, a»4 whictl
perhaps^ more th|in li^al^es lis «i|iqd49 foi
«]1 "the lively p^e^ it regalia tQ.^nx «|««
B^ory. Id eflfectjitbe j^qk^ lovely 9)^ gr^iRi
the more necessary I f^uad it tQ hidf b^c i

THE RECESS, SlC tM

and offeriDg her daily up to God, I left
her wholJy to his disposal ; determined
neither tny pride^ vanity^ or ambition, should
iuterfere with the happiness I supplicated
for her.

On, perusing this description: \ perceive
at ooce the impossibility of yoUr crediting
it ; yet, far from accusing myself of par^ *
tialityy I coaki call on alLwboJevcx bebeid
my daoghter to attest mjricandokinr^Hoir
readily would Lady Atmmkik hfm^^m sa
•— entendered to her by a love obJy inferior
to my own^that faithful friend found in de»*
dining life a new tie wound round iuHr
. heart, fol' which she daily thanked me.

As nothing robs us of the coMfid^nroe of
youlb<lifod the appearance of mysti?ry, wb€ii
time cailied reflection to being in her tender
mind, 1 slowly and by degrees confided
to my daughter the painful events yoohave
thus obliged me to commemorate. This
indulgence secured to me her whole heart,
and I trembled only lest her deep sehsevpf
past misfortunes should nfkei her health ;
for sensibility was the leading leatorct ia.
k6.

S04 TH« RECESS, &C.

her character. Far, however, from seeking
to expoand the future in her own favour,
the flattering prospects her distinguished \

"birth, and yet more distinguished endow-
ments, might well spread before her, passed
'away like a shadow, and she saw only her
mother. A thousand. times has she bedew«> ,
ed my hand with reverence the most endear-
ing : and the tears with which she often
embalmed the memory of her father, ali-
mOst recompensed me for his loss. Vr<xa
that period her expressive eyes were fixed
ever on mine with such blended sadness
and admiration, as proved she thought me
almost sainted by misfortnne. More stu-
dious henceforward of my pleasure, piore
submissive to my will, more solicitous for
«iy repose, it seemed as if, in learning that
she was my only remaining tie on earth,
she conceived that the various affections
and duties of all I had lost devolved to,
and centi^ed in, herself. But sympathy was
the genuine impulse of her nature ; , for
with equal care she watched over her un-
happy aunt. — ^Whenever that dear creatureV
incurable malady ^ssume4 the appearance

- THE BECESS, &C* 205

j&f melancholy, she was extravagantly fond
of music. — At those intervals my lovely.
Mary would lean over her lute with the
meek benignity of a descending angel, and
extract from it such solemn sounds as
breathed at once of peace and sorrow : in-
sensibly soothing the perturbed spirit, and
melting only those yet undisturbed. That
subtle essence of our natures, sensibility^
which madness can only tmfix, not anni-
hilate, often paused unconsciously upon the
pleasure^ and softly sunk into repose.
• A child thus eminently amiable at once
concentered my affections — comnianded my
esteem — possessed my whole confidence-^
actuated, in short, my very being.— Ah,
how noble, how afiecting is the friendship
grounded on the maternal and filial tie ;
when, unconscious of any weakness in her
own heart, the mother dares present it as
a pure and unflattering mirror to her child,
and, with that ' self-applause which even
Heaven approves, contemplates the up-
right, the innocent soul it reflects ! Sacred
and indelible becomes that precept which
ifi expressed but by example. Happy are

fiO(J THE RECESS, &G.

those enabled to form such aa attachment
as ioexperience strengthens on one hand,
and knowledge on the other :— Neither the
gusts of youthful passion^ nor the nipping
frosts of age^ can destroy a plant rooted
thus by mutual virtue ; it only gains vigour
from time, aad^ by the peculiar indulgeace
of the Almighty, our sublimest merit ripens -
into our most perfect pleasure. •

Satisfied that I had already acquired
«uch an infiuence in my daughter's mind
as shuuld enable me to regulate her
pridiciples, I left it to yeara and circmn*
stances to call tbem into action »*«-^The grteat
businesa of my life now seemed 0fet; and,
delivering my heart up to ^ the flattering
presages of maternal love, a thousaadvi-*
sions of ahnost fefgotten grsmdeor and
bappiaess floated before my eyes, and some*
times balf'-delixded them.

The fluctuating complaints of LadjF
Arundell at length settled into a consump-
tioa ;— it was aa hereditary disorder of the
Sydneys: noc perhaps coiM tbe solicitude
q£ myself and my sweet Mary have availed
mgh\ toward her itstoratioo^ even if »

THE EEC5SS, &Q. «07

GT^el shooki in wbich we ware all equd
PHffererf^ hficl qpt pre^ipjta^^d her fate.

AaiQng ttie micopscipua caprices w}>ich
hy turps actuated my unfortanhte sister,
w«^3 ^ p^saiaa for sitting in the open ftir,— -
JSeither Um^s or siea&oDs bad any iofluence
i^ver bori ^n4 &b0 woold in^is<^ oa it sdik?
in tbe sHpw of D^ceiabfr^ and th« aporch*-
i^g 8^9 of Jttly.-^To tbi» ^If^will I bad no
do^t gri^atly contributed. From tfje naor
jXk^nK of my return to £ngland> I bad ver
b^m^i».Uy opposed tbo aeveie coatrou) to
wbi^h Gibe^ hadb^retofqrcr hem suliject^ aii4
l^aipiUMkled b<9r att^dsvnts to yield tu b«r
io^vwy wtenoe vfhich did not abaolmtely
f^49^Q^jr ber 9af«iy & fnlly d^ti^roiined not
te iwAer W e«is(ten<?^ wboHy wretched
m» b^nan being c^uld naw mako happy.
fii^\ as uninforni^d mindi^ never know ^
xxM^diwK^j tbe people appQiAted to watch
h^ gr^Mally ftM^fered bei? to become sen**
^Ibile.of b^r power^ which loon grew into
an nnboi^^ indnlgence. It wa$ now tb^
diptb n^ m^^i and sb« bad ^t in th? k«ex^
^ aif fQiP tvwri^ watching the s^w* which
feU m. i^bwdancet-^^'n^ most vi<rfent

20*8 ' *HE RECESS, &C.

fihiverings ensued^ followed by a fever,
which settled at last on the' nerves, and
brought her to the very verge of the grave.-*—
Nevertheless, it appeared to have salutary
effects— her spirits were sunk indeed to ex-
treme lowness, but they befcame more equal,
and traces of reason were often discernible
in her actions. If she did not remember^
^he yet strove to know me ; and sometintes
studied my features in a manner the most
touching.— I considered these eflbrts as the
very crisis of her fate— her only chance on
this side Heistven, afeid scarce dared leave her
for a single moment.^ I entrusted the care
of Lady Arundell (whose situation, though
more dangerous, was not so melancholy)
to my daughter, fearful lest her youthful
spirits should be injured by constantly con-
templating an object so affecting. But I
had forgot that my own shattered constitu-
tion was not equal to the fatigue and
anxiety of watching over my sister. I fell
btie evening into a succession of fainting
fits ; theiservants conveyed me to bed ; and
the fear of alarming Lady Arundell hin-
dered them from informing my daughter

t>f my situalion, 'My faintiogs at lengA
gave place to a drowsiness, so intense
that I mi^t call it a stupor. — I remaiDed
thus for tome hours, when I started with
an indistinct idea of a heavy fall', and
a deep groan. Terroi roused, and collected
in a moment, every dormant faculty.— I
rushed through the chamber which divided
mine from my sister's, but I blamed myself
for impetuosity when I perceived that aU
was profoundly silent in hers* The two
iiurses were in a deep sleep, and the exr
piring watchlights heavily winked^ and re-
vived, hefore the col4 dawn of the morn-
ing. I. gently opened the curtains of her
bed— Ah, gracious Heaven, what did I feel
when ^ I beheld it empty !— The agonized
shriek I gave> reused both her careless at-
tendants, who, impressed but with one
idea, flew towards a door I now first per-
ceived to be open : it led to a gallery or-
namented with such porti-aits'of our family
as had survived the wreck of their fortunes ;
aqaong them had been incautiously placed
(tnat already fatally commemorated) of the
Barl ^ of* Essex at the storming of Cadiz,

SfO THE EfX£«S, U<i.

Mu uAforXun^ftie legacy bequeathed 46 my
fiister by Lady Fei»M>ke. — My soiil iiook
in at a thougbi a11 Uie fearful CQO^qiteiiGes,
— I tottered iaito tbe ^«lkry — sXus only %9
behold my worst appreheosion verified,—
Tbe fair ^pectre^ which ooce was Elliaorj
lay pfosirate before tbe picture^^-oae hand
had coQvakively gathered bet disordered
garmeiits over her tliia chest; the other
was stiB expres^vely extended iowa«ls the
infUdimiite ioaage of him so belov^ — 1«*
patiently I laid my hand upon her bearlr^
it aoswer^d not the iiemUing inqiiker-ittf
wc^derifig essence «ras exhaled, and abe
bad oea«ed for ever to ««fifer. Thy parting
prayery oh Emex 1 M^as ^w^y pfopfaetic, £of
her soul, ia recovering memory, had bufst
its QiojUl hoiuid, and aoaiied to fieaven«

Scarce were the dear jremains quietly inr
terred^ ere those of the amiable Lady
Aruadell £)lIo wed them. I bore theae losses
with devout resagnatioa- — Tbe tears which
fali when Heaven recalls the nnfoi:tani^tej
stiH the wild passions of the sad isurvivori
and deeply wound only the soul yet new to
ftujfcriu^. It was with a quickened appre**

THE RECE««, .&c; 211

tension tbat I per^ived tbe icffept of \ktm
&rsi ajSiptiolM on tbc teoder fspkU^ of i»jr
dwgbter : noi tliaJt I soHglv^ MluJ^ly to stifle
ih^ liv^y UQpi;es£iLdas of Bdl^Hil affection ;
the tegifsof j^Mtb^ Jibe the g^oial sho^^ers
^ Maj^ Sjerve onjj Uy ^ve ibie plfijiter's
toi]^ an<^ siiDf)] jr rip^n tjti^ rich frui-ts of tl)ie
JTWd ; but ii't|ea fitber i^^il tapx>ileii^ ihey
4mpQveri4> thi^ goil^ 4|^ W9»i^ ^way th^
buds yet blowing.

M-y own soul ajQEarded |io variety , of
afaearful images wUh wbiph I co^ld hope to
iwirigori^te tb^e gentle ^rits of my, Mary ;
l^awilling tP £(^«i P^w cpifnectioM^ I /^
tJwr lJbup4^hjt it prudent iQ <^nge n^y
§bpd^; mid ky n variety ^ scwfts; i»sCTpibJy
*m^$^ bex.; a^d py stewiu'd was leot acf
iCQrdingly Jtp §^ an«>itb^r Waw^ipa- I i^
f^olle^Jtied ibe moment wben tbe gloodoay
m\^ of # rwped coaveat> by posuse^ng tbf
«impJ[/5 ^vapiagc of novelty, diverted pjjr
ipind ev^Q at the sorrowful crisis which rob**
bed me of a foster i»Ptbi3r, Alas, in yet ua^
tried youtb^ the prospect that is unknown
ever adds to its owp d^urms iho^ of ioia**
g9nati<}n i while in ji^atarer Ufe^ tji>e bi^ait

2112 TirE RECESS, &C>

lingers on all which once delighted if,
. hopeless of finding in the fatnre, a pleasure
fancy can ever compare with those it re-
views in the past. To my daughter, how-
'ever, the whole world was yet new^ and,
in fixing oh a scene habitual to my feelings,
-I tould not fail to delight hers. I hired a
miinsion near the Thames side, in Rich-
mond, to which we removed early in the
spring.

Perhaps, in this choice, I Was influenced,
almost iyithout knowing it, by a latefit
motive:* distinct as I had lived from the
world since my return to England, the fame
of the Prince of Wales had yet reached mii.
—This accomplished youjth had at once rose
above the weaknesses of his father, and the
prejudices of his- rank; devoting his heart
to the virtues; his mind to the sciences, an3
his person to those manly and becoming
exercises which, invigorating every human
power, prepared him alike for the enjoy-
ment of peace or the pursuit of war. De-
lighted to understand that a Stuart was rising
to redeem the glory of his declining race I
passionately longed to see, know, and ber

THE HECESSy S^Cr 913

Valued by thie royal Henry. - The. King, un-
vorthy a son so distinguished, took no plea*
sure in his company ? but, even in tender,
youth, resigned him to a court of his own,
from the adulation of which merit superior
to praise alone could have guarded him*
Henry had, like myself, a partiahty for the
beautiful village of Richmond ^ he always
passed part of the summer in a palace near
the Thames; and I took pleasure in think-
ing a partition. of wood alone separated ^is
gardens from mine. With a judgment un-
equalled at his years, the Prince knew how
to be ajfable without abating aught of his
dignity; and, while in the circle of his own
court he preserved the authority of a sove*
reign, to the unfortunate who addressed him
he had the . benignity of a brother: such
wa3 his character in Richmond, where the
people almost adored him^ and took pleasure
in amplifying on the superior qualities he so
eminently • possessed. The ^weet hopes his
merit sometimes infused into. m:y .bosom
pame accompanied with ao equal: numbe]:.ef
fears, j^i could npt. nay. heart ftrhear to
^pheri^^hem, ..,...:.'■

314 THE KlEeESa> fitd

The fevohing ieascnl tSn^d* ifth sw^et
retreat witli ei^ery rariety of tefdtir^; t!i^
waves of the'Thametf were more tratislticent
tlran ever; slW nafnrc afwake»eAartce*more
to perfedSoir, when* tfte Pirnce of W^afes*
ttw>k up fiis abode in the adjacent pxklatre.-*-*
This ueurg heigfctefled' ffre sdft rc^ 6f tAy
daughter's cheek, and evcfl faintly colonrerf
my wan one.-^-Not dariUg to express toiler
the eager desire I felt to see ifie Prittce, and*
not accustomed to venture out without hef,
' day after day dqprsed in anxious expeeta*^
tion. My gentle Mary, with a delicacy
from' which! dVew the mofst happy pressfcfei,
now always chose to go- abroad either so'
early or so late tbAT it waitf almost impossiUd
wfe shouM ever meet tJie Prince, ^d' thtt
veil she usually wbre wa*s closed^ with sor
much eare as to ensure her the happiness of
being oterl0eked> ^ven if fort?une thrwr him
mouirway.

Nev^thekss> I took notice that th« ar-
m^l of tile Royal Henty stimtigdiy filled u^
tbevtad^itiioiar li^Si— A'l^baf be w&tAd d&,
or wtafc lie 'would liot do, coiMftarttljr riegii-
lated our motions, and employed'thy dmgh*

THE BE CESS, StC. JM5

ter's thoughts even more than my own.
His taste affordfed us a vjrriety of indnl^en-
cies of wbrch be knew uDt that we were par-
takers. — Som^timed^moon-Kght concerts, or
magnificent fireworks ; at others, parties on
the Thames ; where the Prince stiff took
pleasure in beholding a variety of Kttle
▼essels> buift anrfornameirted for the amuse-
ment of his early years, and* which were
manned by children. — ^They were often so
near, that we fancied' we heard the voice of
* Henry, when both mother and daughter
would give way to the same irapulise, and
hastily retire. The summer miglit have
elapsed in this manner, had not chance been
more favourable to our wishes tfean we could
resolve to be.

We were retumhig home one morning in
an ill-contrived carriage, newly invented for
airings, the inconvenience of which I bore
patiently, ftom- not being able feo walk or
ride on horseback for any length of* time
since my memorahle fever.— The servant
who. drove stopt as usual at the brow of the
inchantinghill, that we might enjoy for a few
minutes its beauties, when the sound of

^IG THE R£C£5S,^&Cr

boms approacbing near informeil us tbat«
the Prince of Wales was returning from
huntings which at once startled the horses
and ourselves. My Mary^ actuated only by
the impression of the nioment^ made an
eager sign to the man to drive on ; and tbe
Ijorses, already frightened^ yielded impe-
tuously to the slightest touch of the rein,
^ flying forward with the most dapgerous ra-
pidity. The clumsiness of the carriage, and
the badness of the road^ threatened us every
moment with being overturned-^for me there
was no escape ; but could my daughter be.
prevailed on to leap out I was sensible she
would be safe. Far from obeying my in-,
treaties, or even commands, she-threw her
arms around me, and protested it was; for
me alone she feared. The carriage su^ik
into a deep rut at last, and we were thrown,
out at a small distance, with a vbknce that
almost deprived me of my senses:— my
darling Mary had wholly lost her's. — I per-
ceived the train of Henry approaching, but
the favourite wish of seeing him was for-
gotten in that of recovering her. 1 was

presently environed by the hunters without

1

TH£ RECESS, &C. fil7

regarding tbem^ till their extreipe solicitude
obliged me to -raise my eyes from the \ife*
less face of my daughter in acknowledg- -
meut. I perceived with a surprise evea
that moment could not conquer^ that oa
each side of me stood ayouog maii^ adorned
witli the order of the garter^ and so dis-;
tin^uisbingly handsome^ that I knew not
which was the Prince of Wales, but turned
from the one to the other with an air of
wildness and stupor. — :My lo^ks, however,
made little impression on the strangers^ their
whole attention being fixed on the inani^
mate form of my daugther. — In truth, for-
tune had contrived to shew her to the ut-
most advantage. I had thrown up her veil
to giv^ her air, and bared her beautiful
hands and arms, polished and white as
Parian marble; the wild rings of her auburqi
hair played an her youthful face, as tbf^
yellow leaves of autumn curl over a latter
peach ;^ whilst every feature, formed with a
truth which migbt bear the nicest ex^mina-
^\Q(^f perhaps only appeared more exqjui-
^itely, regular &9m the alj^seucCz'^f express
TOL. in. X

ilS -rttKHTCtss, &c.

iton ; :iTlfd -even her i&gure aind attttinle
Uetfnrng bn tier lnother's knees) presentefd a
perfect tnoflel for a sctdjrtor. The assi-
fluitJe?trf'thre slrangers, togetbw -With my
br^n, at hewgth'jfecaHddiier ycatterefl senses;
---«-9fcfe* tjpeticd tfiose ey^es so dear to • tne,
and fehig tfeem for a indttient mi the 'tw6
*1;rangets'i sC^rbsjrsoffiisidti alone proved she
hscvr rtl^^ with 8Qch qtrrckness drd- she tnm
toward her tnbther ; vfcen/behoWin-g me to
•ippeaninoe' twhort, she Hfited her scml to
lieaven-m agtance of gr&titade, and^brow-
Wg her arms round «iy neek, rciieved her
tjvercbarged heart by weeping on mjr bo-
som. '* ^An angel in mind as Veil as form^*
ejtcleimed one of the ktrangers ; *' asstire
iMe, Madam/' cbntmued he, '^*that this
%enx>r is the only ill conseqtreftce of my
liudden appreadi, orlknowootbow I shall
fWgiVe it to myself/' T%is-iiddr€tw asfccr-
'tftining the "Prince <)f Wales/ he became the
ic4e- Object of* my fdtetitidn.-*«-^Ab>^where
#iMl I^dw^oird^to^endeariioyoii, MddmDj
iki^'feyA ytath my heart at once optoc^ to
"wAofti 'fleiifyW^^y«t%dt ia^theilaviibf

Tfif; RECESS^ >&.c. §19

ziMMihoo^^ pever^beilefts bis height w^s iMn
jeHic aad .his %iire^^ni^h^d. 1!')i^ be,£MiLy
©f his feMMrfis \Ti|s their k^st cb.|irni-r-TYirl,iw .
k^tmli ^eme^ to sfiMifne crery h^W9
Imfsm^ui, 9»A s^te b^hplders th^ ir^i^bld
<>f 4ev^lppiDg his chwa^ter hy ^OftVicyiqg
it in a' gUnce. His maiily voioe. upi^d th^
firiiiDess of hJts owa sex i^i^.the s^n^rihilitj
of our|s. A confusion of sad Femexxri>|r^;^Qf^
were lit once pr^s^nt^d with hjj?a4o^n|.y
miiul; and the adnuration hp exdt£^ vV3f
Urangely bleadcid with regrjet,— J forjgot
ihat he had addressed nip^^^nd coot^n^^
to cojoteriiplate hiiyiin sil^noe; ev^ m4
^VLQu turiHi^gmyatrqaaitugeyes .wiidjyjr^^
him to heavei), ev^n theh^ iny diliU'^gbe^t
bids me add^ .sqarce chapgiog the ^^.
The amiable Henry/ in .wbo$eaalwiie:#yp-
j)al.hy.wasthe prevailing se^tmmt^:|^cl^^
4iritb a cotndu^t Po,Miys|eriqM§, f^l^aQrtlofg^Hi
my ^ftttghter in turn, so whol)y ii^as he ^'-
gRo^^ by me,— lafpispaed of j^y 4^fQr-
Aate Unae^eis by. yay ^t^^ipting to. rise, l^
imnn;?ii<rtely..cpnQl\|<ilQCl it to he the cQi^se^
ijuence of the recent accid^^^^tj §i|4 jqi^qp

S20 tHE fti:CESS, &c.

tv«s satisfied by my assurances of the con^
irary. ©h ! as my eyes surveyed the supe-,
tior soul, living, irradiated in the bright
erbfi of his, iiow did they stream at remem-
bering that, hadlils father been born but to
half his virtues, I might now have been
cherished by affection — dignified by rank—*
unwidpwed — unbroken— a stranger yet to
sorrow! — My mother too— Most unhappy
of parents as well tts sovereigns! I had a
tear for thee at this interesting moment, v

The respect due to strangers induced
the Prince to- conceal the curiosity my
conduct could not fail to excite, "^but hav-
ing informed himself from the attendants,
ef my title, he addressed me by it, and
insisted on conducting me home. I now
understood the nobleman who bad divided
my first looks with the Prince, was the
Vi^cQunt Rochester: th«t contemptible fa^
vourite of the King, celebrated only for
his beauty.— The visible coldnesii of my air
checked a forwfi^jrd insolence I observed ia
him, and obliged him to quitu;r'on our ar«
•tiviDg at home. , ^ -^

I

L «' With what secret transport did my soul

ft

Welcome a Stuart worthy that name^ glo*
jious for so many ages f-r-The Prince seemed
delighted with his new acquaiatances.—
The soft reserve of my daughter's- air— ^
the deepening roses of her cheek,, and th^-
low accent of her harmoni<His voice,, when,
politeness obliged her to answes the Prince^,
whose animated eyes reduced her's often
to seek the gpround, presented to. my elated
^eart every symptom of that passion whick
idone endears the sufferings it occasions^.
;A flow of happy spirits, tie w to my daughter,
nlmost forgotten by myself, gave cheerf u W
^es& to the hour which Henry saw elapse
with regret.

' On this chance introduction w-as grounded
nn ftcqaaiptance a few days ripened, into
Intimaoy.-— Led to distinguish the' Prince
dike by his own merit, and the ties of bloody
which secretly allied me to him, it was with
the tenderest satisfaction. I beheld Henry
cnerish the inclination be had. already con«*
ceived for my daughter: yet the dignity of
bis. mind forbidding hioi to forni an engage-
' . • L.3 ^

m^iiw kn^w^notbow id faldl^ it was tferowgti
filer alorve he addressed bhUself tQ het\, Ct^d^
Vihc<?d rt y^ iti my pDW^r t© proire bet
imtrti^d ey^n td such a lover> I ^fibrei
iB^ ta tak^ its- cOftrse^ ^tliending ottljr t^

' Ci$n«^e^Gi9« tkat H^tiry had bttfaer^
ifeeTW* in iii^ i^ery cxjofined oin;le^ 1: Wat
nvt^dte tllattd ^xtiead it ttiu^ dmwtaudi oIk
lii^vali0tf > 6ik those he faVoiired> IVx gtiant
<l^i-efd}id^ i^in^ the mii)i0£f of* Mxtmfie;
l ^md' 6n>%\m hmt of the BiteeeV ttiii
ib¥ m^ diM^fcier «& i^d« oiit;: ffitilh id^fi«tyii

WW he]^ i^i^lsiri^ (te^ioi^ ^(reitft nt^aldai^ to
imagine what could aUach Aw lOJral
miiMt to dre idlhNii^ ^dow ^f ioid; Sew
«^lteK Ti¥e eMirtn- M'«9 ini «iiilii «iaipijt

iitl$^li ai^H^^iAftM^di>l^ evev5? kmd of h^Mi^
«\)f #fm M: }^^ ll^jt, a^^ h^d too mttott
i;l&ligibilitf 1^ tc fe^i die wMt he kiteif
not hO# tb sH^^ly. Hieeply ^^e|>tihie- of
Vhe ti^ regard I hed i^o^^ived fbf hm^
MffetSB^ at oHce by my mind^ my i&iKim€^s>

i

THE RSCS^a, &A* fiS9

. and lay mkn> wUB the idea Qf ^nys^ary, w4

I

tbe dewe of obtninrng my ci»Q6jdf0Q^^i|
WHS only by^hift own o^^ndour be spi;|^M9
gjBia i4)0Q ,miim. Slowly md % d^£re«j»^
fUigjd^ to ropq^Q. witb^ me. tbcwMit r^yt^to
aod aujueytits from wbicJ^.tliQ utiiK)»t iXJ^ydr
0mQ» of nAarQ aod fortuoif os^mot^exeayp;!;
a. 9ipgl« ifidiyidual. He pftei^ lamoii^
4be 4anf^r«D9t distk^^^ic^ of« beipg tK^ ^f^
liora G^; tiift fetW». chU4ren^. WH4h it qq**
biio^ %f^ji i^frT%9f>ftrAtfd< 49¥^, i»

jNllb iMHWiiarj^ sy^i^t^HHitit^ y^i^Q, sfmi^
to iMlsfi tli4»r QQ»xi\ tartb^. ira^mfc I^Wf

tioQ of his actions^ he had .iibfiti HHi Uf^
)|y!»a4> URcbemtrad^ andl «e«i^^lMii^n*
^ affe^Uons be mMkbem to 4b«rfu gm-
4ttidlyt crnttfr in. thud B<m ftom. wHwi
Ilia pfinHit4i.bad. ©atbiog^lx) .fcap,-^— ^r-'-^Nor
wefe tfaene wantiRg io^iduim flatt«ir#^
«qaaUy ready to qodermia^ bi^^ ftiiftldtttjb
by poMitiog out the weaknenea of bia fftr
JiidFr even vbare they were moat lik^y«#t9
Woun4 hiin« He had punished himselfj
1-4

^S4 , THE ll£C£S$, &C.

he added, for yielding to thes^ impress
sionsby an absolute obedience to the author
Tity of the King, but it was with grief he
remembered that was new the only tie ber
iweeii them.— Nor would I wondejf, he
continued, it should be so, if I considered
that, born as be was to imperial power,
with an ardent passion for glory, he had'fai-
tbetto been shut op in the narrow sphere
of his ovrn court, languishing away the flower
of his youth, without a choice, axfrielid> or
a pursuit: till the infamous Carr sliould
^eign to decide what foreign Place's bribe
he would condescend to accept, and towh«t
bigotled Papist be shoidd sacrifice the-sdi^
^f his master.

Wbtk the admired Priace of Waks^
the Idol of the people, the Heir of £nl»
pire, the endued of Heaven, thus coo*
$ded to me the simple «iid rational griefs
which clouded a fortune so brilUiint^ couM
I fail to meditate on the eqiiaUty of Provi-
dence ?-^which graciously allots «ven to the
lowest situation, some portion of bappinessi^

THE RECESS, &C. 225

res. jand depresses the highest with the sdd sense

b, of misfortuDe.

!«• : It is the fatal peculiarity of youth to

^r throw the strongest light on every secret

Ik grief^ and waste away under an impressioa

nI , imagination o^n doubles.- To* cure

f^ this propensity is therefore the {^ovince

of experience.. I. sought ta imbuo the
Prince's mind with the only principle
mine had derived from all mjL $iiffering8.
;7-That the noblest, use we can. make of
understanding is. to convert it> into hap-
piness; and that, every talent which, does
- £iot»condu^e to that great end^^ougbt rathejo>

to be copsidered as*a b^rthea than, a bles"»
' - sing- to the possessor. — ^That-the mind^ like
the eye^ ever magnifies the obj^ect of fesur or
^version, which o£ien> on a striet examina*>
tion^ excites. no. other sentiment than coq-
tempt.^—In fine, that he w^s not at liberty!
to shew any other aensfi of his father's errors^
than by presenting a faultless example in
bis own life; and that, if he would have it
without blemish, he must divejrt his taste
fcom channels where it would meet with up-
t5 .

^o^tiM^ aiUcl tofrn. it into these tbrougl^
which it might flow freely .-^That the
isfilfiVatiibn of the fieYMce» wouM at once
^1 tfptkt void hi 1ii^6 ev^r so painftd ^
%%i yei#s^ tiKid titim^k to his welfam
tin ^ho loved tb€M»; a body^ whose ib^
ffoienee v^as nev^ Imown uoless oppo«
|iMk>i( etilled ft^&k the powers <tf elo*
^€MOe. '

The i^tnce had too naach jodgiaent iiol
to see the afilky of this counsel^ atld too
metcii generosity not to value its casdoiir :
h^wrlbeleife, H was a; language y€?t oew to
him.-^Ingeniiity had heencxhaC9te*to»tea0li
Mih to gorerii othevs> hut to suMoe hiaisetf
iraap a lesson noae bad vientared toincalcale*
How did ] lattient that a soul so doetile
hadm chHdhood beeninyadiciovsly drfivered
lip to its Own gtiidaitce, and iiuflfered isvery
Aff tcr imbrbe some new prejudice, des-
tined perfiaps to mark the chwactcr
tferoogh life;- and whiob an upingbt and
skilftit monitor might ao easily havfe era*
dilated? ' .

liPfee Prince corid not be insensible to the

T«E ttECE&S, kc. £27

mfiteraal caation whrch indttced' m« to sem!
toy daughter abroad whenever he honoured
tne with a visit, yet the observation, did not
for flome time appear to kifluenee hi^ con-
duct. — Satisfied with merely beholding her
as he entered or departed, the desire of
'opening his heart to me seemed to super-
'sede every other impression. Ne^erlli^
less, long reveries would' follow the mosrt
accidental meeting, and long pauses inter-
vene in tlic most interesting conversation ;
rendering it sufRciewtly , obvioas, that his
*^flaind laboured with sbm« projeet, hitherto
'sup'pressed either by pride or prudence.

Perhaps I should ever ha^e wanted <»k-

tejge to open my Upson so ddioate an ocoa-*

-sion, had not my daugii^r eomplained to

me that ^he was 90W become 1^ universal

ol^t &f attentioo ; and th«t .the suit vfho

'*Qtte»ded her wer« o^en rudely sarpouiKled,

an^ sometimes >»ten'ogated by such of the

PriBce^s court as had not benefited by his

example.— Sy gorag abroad tmexpectedty

with her^ I found that she was not oiieaded

•-without reas<Mi> «ad se»«W€ o# my inip*u-

3. 6

£28 THE RECESS, &C.

denoe in tbns risquitig ber safety^ I, came
to the resolution rather to abridge myself
of the pleasure of the Prince's society^ than
purchase it. by endangering my daughUr.
I desired her to retire for a awhije
when Henry^should visit me next^ and ere
be could account for the singularity of find-
.|Dg her at hpme^. entered into the delicate
explanation. With an. ackuo^ledged at-
tachment to him^ that I bore my child
alone could have over-ruled^ I submitted
it to himseUi whether I could too cau-
tiously guard against a censure or insult
she. had no natural protector to resent —
The generous Henry paused for a few mo-
ments with irresolution,, when suddenly
collecting courage^ he broke silence. —
*^ Will Lady Leicester pardon," said h^^
" those obtrusive visits she has submitted
to with so much complacency i Will she
deign to become the confidant of the only
incident in my life I have hid from her —
will she listen with indulgence ?" — He
paused a moment, but, ete I could resolve
how to answer, pursued the discours

THE EECESS, &C. . 229

^^ Accustomed even from childhood to the
eusaaring glances of the light s^id the
lovely — ^led to imagine myself older than
my years by the contiaual proposals for
marrying me that have constantly succeed*
ed each other^ it is not wonderful that a
heart naturally susceptible should mature
before its time. Among the many beau*
tiful girls, who have already sought, to
attract me, I soon distinguished one, by
whom my peace, my honour^ my innocence^
became endangered : perhaps they had been
lost, had I. not found her selfish and ambi-
tious. I need hardly inform you that this
seducing fair one is the Countess of Essex !
—Vain of her influence, over me, she took
pleasure in^ publishing it, and taught me
early to blush for my choice : but I could
not resolve to do so continually. I formed
the bold resolution of contending witb my
own heart, and retired hither to recover it,
or die. Lady Cssejc, enraged and humbled
at this conduct, confirmed me in it, by
attaching herself to Viscount Rochester:
thus rendering it sufficiently obvious, she
had never loved me.— Besotted with her
beauty, that weak favourite is governed bj

S3© THE irE€E«, &'C;

liter caprices, sod him I was born to ofeey
yieids te those of Rochester. Althoiigh I
io not iihmediatelif perceive hov^ Lady
Essex mesiM to eflfect her revenge, I am
cottvinecd that it is only maturing ; and
flaily expect a blow, froth which i know
hot how to guard myself. Under these
circmnstances how can I venture to involve
your fate wkh mine ? — How can I ask you
to peimit me to offer to your lovely daughter
the heart whidi ever hovers near her ?*—
I^eak, Madam — my happiness is in your
faam£5---dare you risque your oWn to
promote it*f^— While I listened to this sen-
sible, this frank declaration of the Prince'g
crrpT, and <his attachment, my fond heart
ftmnd its first wish accomplished, and
adopted at once the royal youth ; solemnly
towing to sharCj without repining, every
farfl that might follow an alliance so dear :
sordid I fell secretly to exult in my Mary's
fcereditary right even to this distinctidn.

^o cement* the confidence between us,
and convince the Prince that his present
Sroiee was judicious, I resolved to coiifide
to hirti the secret so Ton^, so painfully pre-

TH1£ ni:cE«s, &c. 831

seinred ; and related my whofle history. As
I retraced its affecting incidents, I knew
fllcm to be so only by his eager, his gene-
rous sympatliy ; so tvhoHy was my own
soul engTOissed by the happy prospect he
had opened before it.

The Prmce of Wales acknowledged with
joy the relationship I claimed ; and, to
cmifirm all I had advanced, I offered him
the kmg-saved testimonials, which he pe*
rased with silent reverence : then fixing
his eyes, stiH impressed with that elevated
■efftiment, on mine, he gave utterance to
the dictaftes of his heart. — * Who wonld
suppose," exclaimed be, •^a fortitude so
unexampled couH possibly be combined
with a frame delicate even to fragility ! —
May the misfortunes you have indelibly
impressed on my memory, my more than
Uftother, be the last of your life — May that
being ^ho directed ray soul to cherish the
admiration and esteem inspired by your
lovely daughter, and xnatchless self, suffer
the youth before you ta sbpply to your
heart, all it ought to have inh^ited— all it

unhappily has lost. Dear will be the mo-

5

'S32 T^£ R£C£S$, SuC.

ment when to the form of your angel
mother my authority > shall add the name,
and that moment will hereafter^ oh ! most
honoured of women^ infaJlibly be mine/' .

While I listened to predictions so Hatter- '
ing^ I almost believed them accomplished*
la thy unblo WIT youth, oh, royal Henry,
was comprised every promise that could;
dilate or fill the heart: mine centered at
once in thee> and my daughter: finding ia«
the mere, hope^ of so glorious a union, a
total suspension from suffering and sorrovy^

I had now no reserves with the Prince,.
and leading. in my bl.ushing ft^ary presented
her to her royal cousin ;, who. gracefully,
offered up his unblemished so^Lon the hand,
be bowed over. So pure a transport took,
possession of mine as oblitera,ted every
other impression. I snatched the united,
bands so dear, so beloved, and pressing,
them, to my bosom, sickened with very,
ecstacy, and withdrew to recover myself..
Wandering alone, by the side of the Thames,
I raised my full eyes to heaven ; and called,
the happy spirits of my mother, sister, and.
Lord Leicester^ to sympathize with me ia,

tHE RECESS, &C., iSS

. an event which promised to end the perse-
cutions of my family, by thus blessedly
•uniting the last sprung branches of it; A
Berenity of the sublimest naturie sacceeded
the sweet trouble of my spirits, and enabled
me to rejoin the youthful lovers with thq
dignity due to my own character.

The situation in which we stood endeared
us still more to the Prince, by perpetually
reminding him how intimately our wel-
fare was connected with his own. Every
hour seemed to unite us more and more to
each other. Henry spoke 16 me with the
ireedom of a son ; conjuring me not to take
any step that would create the least sus-
picion of my birth, or the secret tie formed
between us, till he had well weighed every
consequence that might ensue : and, to
elude the watchful spies^ with whom we

'were alike surrounded, he proposed passing
in the evening through his garden to ours,

•if I would deign for a while ta allow hinx
thus to reach the saloon. Our situation
was too delicate not to require the strictest
caution, yet as I could discover no mode of

-xeceiving the P/ince, which was not equally

fiS4 THE Eso'^s^, kc*

qo«ftitodlible» ajid more c}aB^rojas> I^ ae«
qili««c<fi tnbis pnopc^n}, as well'. ad :<iiaftii«
liioiiM render one^ of. bis^ gentietnen (^
Bl^fidMtirjray) a coafidADtiof thi^iottmaeji^
though^ nei' of its naiure, prexteiil*

' AtM iociAeutso iiftp<»rtant eo^roa^ng my
every thoi^ht>. my heart, reiitfued 0»ce
in<tfe ef^effly>mto the wodd^ Iti had bow
an iater^ei ia ibUy undidrsiandingf tile real
^bDir£Ksibers«f .tfae:Kiifig> the Qfaeeo^ ViiaQsmit
R«^estprv. aod 6^»€tipy individtiid Utoi/ or.
jatMed tift^Qter^we al^ iM« ioMNmftiiig ««•
*^ 1\ exmm^, een«den»d^ audi i^eig^eil
«Vt3r}^' fciitiigf/ I tooon dbooiu^red^ jduijtc tiie
whokM^yalfaiaHy werea^vafUnoe:! That
the riiiperia«3 Qo6eQ> mtabfai toi wrea^. bar
huabaiid fN« bia fa^oufits^ cdP lu»r am
.from^bis dalieibisecinied tbajfiurt^ aiQ^rix^
lacted^ tbe tetter;: eoafittiiig' b^salf; \ihkH^ir
to a^ourt formed* of heif own /;reatfire% wbo
aanated ^er to spoil her younger 499; 'Wh<»ii
die badlalin<»jt.eati»9ged ffom hi^ broker*
Her beaixtifal dau^ler> who um^d. in bar
t>wa person the graicea. of JViary with the
9fixit of Jiih^ii^tb, alone allured to tim
com^ of. Use Q^ieen \h^kw p^rmin, c^ ils^U

THIS lt^€£6«, Si^ B55

iVaSbrded. Hctirj was^ often lavish in th«i
|iraisc8 of bk sisleo ^^^f ^^ ?^^ ^^' ^^^
€«Jy rektion l>€ evcrwolutrtarily spoke of^ I
HaturaUy concluded that she ^vas the only
one iutitied^ by superior qualities to thai
disiinctiou. King James, \ivho had mounted
the throne under happier au!tpk)M than al«>
most any preceding BO.vereign of EDf^lsuid^
bad already livedo long enough to laie the
aHactidns^ of his people^ By turni a pedJant
gtidabiiffaoD^ his^sdlcmmty waaeyenlnoNr
dogaati%ibaft) lii&tevity. GhiY^tned/ by m
pre£leBtion\ofi the m^st^absard ami Mngn^
)ar natliray. to- a beautiftil £sToiirite he ab
•IvayH ddisrured up tlie^ imm? of. cin|»i#e {
y«adUy iubmittio^.to a shameftdml^eetioii
in<aU> importa^i pomt^ piDviiad fa^ nngb*
mjb^ fii. f idic«loii& stifirennay ia hia bowra
t^ indulgence and rerniefnent. Fnam^siijeli
« Wtdak and- incotiriMaeiit King> and his pi:x>««
Itiginte MiaiMrs^ tfie wisr^ the scientific,
aivd the good^ had giBdually retreated 4
«tm)> in neglect and siletice^ conieinplated
irom far the growth of that exemploi^
Prince, wlio promised to retrieve the fanr*^
of his ance«tor«j and th^ glory <rf the king*

S35 th'e recess, &c»

dom lie was born to reign over. A ybutS
of eighteen capable of uniting the unble^*
inished virtues of that age^ with the disr
eernment of a matuFcr. one, was a pheno^^
tnenon, and of course either*, adored or
detested— While the body of the kingdom
regarded the Prince of Wales only with tlie
£rst sentiment^ the wortlilesfr favourites of
bis father were aptuated solely by the latter.
To marry and escape the plans of Ro»
Chester wash the interest of Henry : and t^
marry without hii^ fatlxer*s knowledge b»
unwilling choiee.-^Yet highly sensibte of
Ibe slavery imposed by hit sank^ be had r&r
listed every temptatioa frona beauties of as
inferior one : but^ when apprized of my
story, he saw, or fancied he saw, in: my
daughter, a wifs allotted him by heaven—^
ene to whooL no just objectidQ could pos<-
fiibly be made ; one born to give hbppiness
to bis heart, and honour to his name. Nor
could he doubt, even if bis. father^ut hii
eyes against the truth, but that be should
be able to convince the people of my birtb^
when the publicationof the marriage should
g^ive. my story the whole weight o£ Iji^
credence^

TtfE EECESS, Sec. Mf

• . Success, in bis judgm^nt^ depended solely
on the concealment'Of the purposed union
till it could be accomplished ; for^ if tbe
intention transpired ere the event, he was
Satisfied the most desperate efforts would
be made to wrest us from him. Yet as at
this very period a public treaty was negO)»
tiating with a foreign Prince, he could not
form a tie of such importance without
giving his father just cause of offence, the
nation at Jarge a contempt for his character^
and the distant Sovereign thus insulted a
mortal di$gust. We therefore agreed to
WjEiit till this Ministerial project like many
x>thers should disappoint itself, and seize
that moment to celebrate and publish a
marriage^ which was to end' all our fears,
jtnd complete all our bopes»

Duriag. this interval I observed with pain
that tbeeifiireme timidity of my daughter'^
<character prevailed over the entbusiasna
incident to her years : and damped witb
league appnefaensions those, moments love
^ndbope. might. have made so happy.. I
€aw. this little feminine weakness with ex-
treme uneasiness. The Prince of Wales

fi88 «»£ fiso&&s, yJke.

ya» fiittiagwish^ ■by .m nuidy -ArdiMSi,
whiflh.e?6r wUelywoigbedl tkud Approadi-
ing tiia]^ then calmly liared it. .For asoul
fo aobleji liksirad to £iiii a .faoUless. bri^e ;
Md lookiog £Barf»^ly into the .future^ :i
joiiictittes thought -my Mary^s tunid .heart
^K^Dld OAS day throb 'Without caqse against
that of a 80vereigt>, oppressed nritb ioim«-
merable cares, he perhaps sought; to i lose
4he reHievi^raace of io her society. 'Ne*
^verthelass^ I did not perceive my tesder
Adavonitions on this subject had any other
couseqqenoe than that of iodnelng my
4a»giiter to b^ry .in >her bosom those senti-
meats and^ .emotions^ 1 had so jnany years
4telighted to participate^

It was now autumn !■—— The time of
the King's periodical pcogcesses.-*— The
JPrince could not.avoid followkig bis father^
,but .he : lingered in iiis duty ; and- havii^
«taid a iday too long with us^ ]|iaslened to
4>yertake the King^ wbojqi he was to feast
^t I Woodstock. He wrote to me from
thence^ complaining of £atig]i;e and lassi-
• tude : but^ with ^ his > usual altentionj in*
: formed :me that he Jwas instreaty ibr, Kenil*

9ir£ji«cus^ lie. 9$9

woi^i CuB^e ; ^here he* fkiltered iiKii-self T
tb^idd ^agim •see goi^ew dnjs, like those I
still, reftiembered wMv so-fawchf leasut^.

quickly ' ba»ie«'ii)g 'to - a per I^kI ! At tiae first
Tisit ke paid «ae oii his returii^-my sowl'wasf
struck Hvifii a -very apparent alteration in
his person ; wWch was grown dim and
Wan beyemd conception, - eemsidering the
shortness of the time. Not-allithe-joyhe
expressed at oar -meeting could satisfy -me
that4ie was either well or happy ; inst, ob*
serving he evaded my questions, and -fear-
fal of darnpiingtrim without reason,' I* s^#0ve
to suppress that ^maternal anxiety whieft
allhis- assurances of heaJtb and d%eaf#ul-
«r^S'Cotifld not (}ispeL I perceived- my
xiai;igfeter wes impressed mth the •^same
idea,, foi',^ though she spoke iiot, it wsts vi-
sible to rhe that &he wept greatly w^ed
alone. ■ ^

The evenings were now too short •aa'd
4damp 'for me toallow the eveuing*vi«ts of
%he Prince ; and I rather chose *o Hsque
-every danger by ■ receiving ' hvm «f>eiily>
4han'fiul^ect bini "to- any -by An ffi-j^dgei,

t40 THC^ R£C£$S, &C;

caution* Alas, these cares were vain.-*-

The rapid decay of the royal Henry's health
became visible even to indiflSerent qpecta-
tors. An affecting languor was the only
expression of those fine eyes once so fuU
of tire, and the youthful cheeks every fol-
lowing day should have tinged with a deeper
bloom, grew more and more wan and hol-
low—be could no longer conceal bis ill-
ness. Alas, it pierced me U> the souli I
was miserable at remembering a charge so
precious, .as his welfare, should be com-
mitted to servants of whatever denomina-
tion.-^No mother— no sister — duties in<bs-
pensile in ev^y other rank of life, were
it seems. incompatible witli royalty. Ob,
Henry L — dear amiable yo.uth ! even yet
am I tempted to accuse myself for not
having better deserved tbe tender appella-
tion thy filial revereficie so often bestowed
on me, by daring every thing for thy sake i
Slaves to imperipus custom, our actions are
too often regulated by that idle multitude,
whose most lavish applauses would but ill
console - us for one single reproach from
that unerring monitor, our own conscience.

\i

f

t:

THE RECESS, '&C. 941 j

Either aot coayihced. that this secret ma*-
lady was jundermining his constitution^ or
indifferent to the events the Prince still
continued in the pursuit of his usual athle-
tic exercises and habits^ till his strength
became wholly unequal to them. I once
more persuaded him to csXt in medical as-
sistance^ and he promised to attend to
^mself as soon as his sister and the elector
should depart.— --Obliged to appear at the
celebration of their marriage in London, /
he. came to pay us a parting visit. Impress-
ed, perhaps^ with the idea that it would
be. the last, he threw himself into my arms^
and shed there the first tears I had ever
seeii fall from his eyes. — Mine readily over-
flowed— a grief too deep for utterance
pressed upon my soul, and Henry ceco^
vered ere I coidd. His heart missed mf
jdajughter, who was gone abroad. -.r-He sigh-
ed, sunk into a little reverie, an^d breaking
it, . with a faint smile, said, ^' he, ought ra^*
jtbjer to congratulate himself on hef abr
sence." He sighed ag^ip, and, a&ar i^^r
ptber pause, resumed his^ discourse, in «-|ft9(

VOL. III. |«

24^ *HE tlEClESi^, ^t.

umAiAoken voice.— ''Monrn not fttes, toy
triortier <foT 1 will stiH give you ^ title yaci
tefty justly d«itu' frcfln heif #ho bote tiie ;
«incewho ever loved me a6 ymi have tldne?^
.1 have yoirth ife my favotir, and this op-
^pefeite malady may not he mortal: for
youf sake aiolae do! wish it to be otherwise,
fjfeljere ine. — ^Alr^ady weary, iffisgutted with
this world/ I xould retreat from it almo^
Hvitlwut a pang, did I not Tcnow my loss
^ould be -to ycm an hrremediable calamity,
^et who &hall judge of »the dispensations of
kht Almiglity ?— 1 might fiilfil all your
Wvisbes without seeing you happy— ?I mtght
bbtaift all my own without ceasing to be
Xf retbhed. /Recall this often *to your me-
^to[0^^, whatever foSlow^s our parting; and
fena^mber yoiir name will be ever on these
lips while ibty haver power to utter a soumL
i-*3%r 'the jeOoted <if 'my Soul— but she k
tefely WBCtottrem partof it; and if not per-
Itoifcted tb possess her in this MmAdj I wift
irtsfpefct her- in a better/* — ^©erekvhig hh
*iti leyie was frjitei oh a pidttkre of my
Iwj^tcr'tvhTCh hung ^ my losom^' I pre-
sented it to him.^2*— »*^ And doycru'toc^
3

beldvtfd Heory/' reUtraed I, iu a brok«ii
ipoice^ *' renietxiber %hM the mother who
gives yon this^ would have comprised ia
the original every grace, every virtue, to
he foliiid tbioujgph iBFonNm xiatiHre : and hav-
ing doiB3 so, would atill have thought iier
hoootwed m your dtoioe. — Ah i rojral youUii
fetign inali. a b«rt so. noUe to vapourish
ditpr^swn,*^Yovir life, your happiness, am
Tm% y^nt oiwa merely-^ra nation is bound to
pray fbr ^hd ifotmiar, t9 crown you with
the ieM^u-^^For :mysQ}f— upon -Ate mweet
h<qie,o£:iaajtchlng my daughter with you,
4[ sbiMiing tthc; soft tcanaports of nuitual
yixiai and .aSkdiDn, I have learnt to livse,
biit^uirely I cD&ld never aarvive its extinci-
^ioo/VJtf y Ml soul allowed not .of another
f^Jlid]ile«> mte Prince fixed .his saffutsed
eiyeaoiLnune^MtiUi ataysterious melancholy,
ainbostahiouniing to despair, and touching
iritb inia'Ups those bands liis .trembling ones
atiU .grdspcd^ .tisshed ipreeipitately into the
csmtt yAtd... The.flound cf iib voice drew
me tawAristtfie. win dow-rttbe graceful yjQuth
ipaAe lAie a last lohi^isainoe .and galloped

fl4t TH£ RECESS^ tcC

4tway;'\v:hile my partial eye pursued hiQt
tiil beyond iU reach^ and even then my
ear seemed to distiDgtdsh the feet of his
horse.

. With his nsuaLkind consideration Henrys
wrote to me the nexJt day^hat he ibund
himself better; and in 4;fae pleasure of see-
ing -his sistesr happy/ felt jBeconctled to th6
impolitic match made for her.— ^He evetf
assisted at the various festivals witli which
"Hhe nuptials of the royal Elizabeth were
honoured ; but Scarce were they over when
jhis health and spirits failed at once^ and
the faculty were called in to his aid. A
malady which bad been so long engrafUng
itself on- his constitution left but little hope
of his life :-t<-I had ceased to entertain any}
yet^ faor from supporting the idea, of losing
him with fortitude^ my jsoul mfourned as if
it then had >£rst known sorrow* Not dar-^
ing to give free vent to viy apprehensions
in. the presence of my daughter^ I strove,
with cold and watery smiles to flatter these
hopes in her heart my own had long re^
jected ; and saw with vain regret the dec^

HUE REOES$, &C 8*5

excesses of a sensibilU j I bad laboured t^
excite and strengtben.

Wbat days, what nigbts of sadn^s and
suspense^ wer^ ours^ whale the unfortunate
Hen^ was -languishing away every vital
power ere yet they bad reached maturity !
: — Frequently delirio42S> our names escaped
.unconsciously from those lips which at his
lucid intervals, uttered only ^sighs and
groans., Murray, his beloved attendant,
gave .U3. constant information of the pro-
gress of hia fever;, nox ,did the amiable
Henry fail at intervals to charge him with
tender remembrances^ . Sir David^at length
acquainted me, that as the impa^sipned de-
lirium of the Prince*pointed ever toward
ps, the King, bad been apprized of it j^ —
(hat he had minutely que^t4oned bis son's
most favoured attendants,^, and among them
himself, on the origin, progress,, • and
strength of an attachment thus sudd^enly
and strangely brought to light," deeply ru^
piinating on all he heard. '^I coul4 not
feel acquitted to myself, madam,'' conclud-
ed the faithful Murray, f' were I to QOftcpal
M 3 .

t|0 *wm wB^smn, h€.

fiki», ncr #iire F add a^mmiwieeii wi^iSeiitk
an occasion/'' *

** Ah, et vfhaX vmpoffmtce^ t» US' anef all
the'laCeiRquMes^ ^fievmgfsff eof^^ffrr«% of
Jamesir el-ia^ f^ felcKng m^r datrgbt^ td
my bosom : '''if Hcftren deprtttes' us of Vik
mes^mohte S€rn, tfeifter biy liwre cfr Ma teP
ti^ed ea» greAtf jfi aftet titf.— BelerreiM dry— *-
dear ii^kcrttoi of mtftfortatie K-^wMdwed a^
ye« tfedtt aft- a Wife, a long obscurity, A
KoHtary yotirtr, » aH thy pc^OBh-^ soVAHl
wfe>3& ci«j B^^r cttd thy aatfllief '« .— -u
Bat trfey sfcenritP I hesitate tto arolf my^f >
•^Whereftwtf ^howld T iwt pttWbh ehteii
wMrfr even tyraittiy^ caiiftot cat&c?el;,-*4mt
perhaps if wilf liot dfepote } The thfaW, ab-
ject spirit of Jtfmea^ kii6^<*ffot how for coBp*
teiMl vf ith arte frnft in virtare— iflftfiufable vi
U\jih.^ — -Afc, !rad I dctnefso tefig swice, I
mif ht at tbft mometrt, dear Henry, har^
bovened irefar thy coitch, a»d softened the
afrguii^b tto ii?K«rtaI cait pi^eftt !-**P^baps
the King already stirmises the fttet— -le^ biid
. (J^manrfit/'

)$k Ga^'d Morray^s neJ^ letter Kreatbed

- . '9Sm BrlQSaii^ ko. tit

tfieir#i7 9i(it «^d^;9p«k. — \ '^ fl?epat»

#i»ir. Tbi^ Vrm^^ Hs»9 juAl oiKftered'eit tot

<K»Q^(li4tO Ult Si^HMtf ^lieKty l^tOdT 4#<]t |^<^9

19^ wtii^h. jam aK l«MtWQ«4:r-^«2X^pilliK4
Iraows not h^m^ oCtieii, ««Ms^«h-4«E: kiUM-

«gbeii ouli PQ^r^^-^oo m t.'^

' Thrae )umr!» alter ^w*ber oupiflwi acn

mcobereio^jr of oceawla p^suufd at » (lymg^
a »o«ieiiiu*«-^aai 4ie most MP^ntie of
Ibe hontfiboid haa bqm» ctaMd to lio|MS.^<n
Otir royal maater's aftdedb eoiifeljr Aiikbna
<^bi& last dfort waa hustilji. aad rcpaatcdljl
m4

t48 rtii RZtiE.Bij &X.

to call me — I flew to his bedside;- btit
though my eveny ^eose seemed to resolte
into eao I found it impossible to . under*
stand him, Eilher I widely erred or he
named France ; perhaps I commit a second
error in sttpposing he referred to you^ ma-
dam ; but I voluntarily risk every thing ttf
fulfil the parting wish of a master so
adored. The King^ the physicians^ all have
laken. a long leave of the almost beatified
Prinoe ; and^there is^ nothing left fo^ those
who love him best to wisb^ but that bis p«re
i^rit may pass away in pekce.'*
* The agony and stupor this a^ecti^^'
billet occasioned were hardly abated when
another arrived*-— ^' It is all over, ma*
4hMB/' concluded the worthy Murraj^
'^ raise your streaming eyes to Heaven ; it
is there alone you can now look (of the
incomparable Prince of Wales.-— Fatigue
and anguish disable me fycm saying more/'
It was not till the awfiil moment which
restored the unsullied sotil of Henry to its
omniscient Creator that I had dared to
breathe a wish of which he was- not the

THE RECESS, 8ce. l243i

©bject, or allowed my ttionghts to pass t^
yoiid himself. That exquisite sensibiHtj^,
which lives through all de^r to us, haif
made me severely suffer with him, and con-
sequently pray for tljat release which alone
seemed likely to give him ease; nor did h
recollect,, till he was gone for- ever^ th'e-
void, his loss would leave in my hopes.—
The tremendous calm- by which death i^
ever followed now took its tui'n* Bereft of
a support on which 1 had long unconsci-*
ously rested, I sunk intba desolation whi^h*
made me almost wish to follow the lamented!
Prince.-r— It is at these intervals, madam,,
we become -most truly sensible of all the
imperfections of our nature^. How often*
bad I flattered my own, erring hetfrt witb»
^e vain belief that it had acquired strength^,
purity, and virtue^ from its various trials'h
Alas,, what, but pride^^ vanity^ and ambition^i
still tbi^obbed unalterably th^re ? Time had^
only altered the object, not the passion, and^
centred them all in my daughter..
. We di^atQiirselves eokirely lip^aod deeply*
joined m the genera! moamiiig. The JaA^
116

pkiumre ot knowmg him we bewailed nid*
veisttlljF Umenled was yet ouc^ I |ier«s<»d|
] appropriated^ with a Bio^er'» fdndnessi
the lavish eulogjies all seet«^ att |«Flics^ all
yMls> graced ihe meEOory.of the Prince with s
*^it wa« the ooly mitigaticm my gtief eoalck
Imiow.«— o'A considerable time bad elapsed
without 6\Jtt heariDg acy thing Stata Murray
kk cdn&imAtiou of his ooigeetuie i^mctfrDing
Hetfr/s last wisb/Htd the hoaperfiBct acceots
vhk^h lingered on his dying li{i8.^Bul
tll^ttgh I eonld not resolve to become •
gttiltlefls fttgitive even in ccnuqiBamat With
Prince Henry's will, I bad no ether nmltTe
i^ remaining in England than to shew that i
was not driven o«t of it. 1 now determkied
td qiui a eo«miry which had tieen the gr»w
e>f a hope so dear, and found ofiy dsmghiei^
^ tfntiEely of ray Jiiini^ In gratitod^ £or the
unwearied attentbn of Sir ]>a*fid Mnrray,
I inforoied him '^ of my intention to retire'
inw FUnders> tiot doiditftig bat that the
Hollanders woald afford* ^tti hod^Mrat^ 8sy«-
l«ia to tM' widow a»d orphan nf %Grd Lei-
cM^fw-^-^-^l he«09glit Widi te M&e^ a mg

THE RBCES5) 8cCi S5 1

^ considerable value io token o£ miy deep
seBse of the generous attachment he hud
shewn alike Io myself and that incompa*
mUe Prince^ whose loss was ever present to
my mind; and reqnesled as a last proot* of
his regard^ the restoration of that picture of
»y daughter 1 had given to the royal Henry
at otir memorable parting."
♦ The answer of Murray strangely startled

and alarmed me. -*^ Yoar intention of

qvining Bngland, madam,** said he, " re-
lieves my mind from. extreme anxiety :>-^
time and circumstances have united to con-
vince me that I did not misundei'stand the
last imperfeel? accents of my mi»eh-}oved :
kiai*#r«--^LMe nol a moment . in • basteiung .
te> the asylum you have fixed on. — THht
fietore, madam, is^ I fear,, irrelrievabty.
goii€-> — ^I ciiBOoA, hy either bribes or intreaj*

ti/BBy piJecuie any tidings of it.^ Pot^er^ .

aias^ I now have not t— If ever it comes to -
lay hands^ rely on its being restored by
kka who will ever devotitiy ^ray for your.
kappinefts.^^ * -

Tliia iaexpReable letter roused every dotm^
M 6

S52 TtTE RECESS, &C.^

mnxit faculty .-^^ Wherefore should my re-
tiring abroad relieve the mind of a perAcm
UDconni&cted with me /rom extreme ansci^
^f— Why should he urge thus my depai^

ture ? ^As it was rather pride than pr»*

dence which induced me to seek a coantry
where I might fearlessly assert my every
right, that project was now rejected from
the very motive which first dictated it.—
A mystery my nature ever disdained* — Re«^
solved to comprehend all the motives on
which Murray wished me to aetj I ordered
every thing to be replaced^ and sat down
4>nce more quietly at faome> reiaolved to
brave the storm^ jf indeed there wa^any
jg;athering^ rather than ascertain my safety
by a. disgraceful flight, I once more wrote
to Sijr Dlfrvid^ acq^aintii^g hio. with my
|>res^nt conduct^ and its reatoiis ; insistiDg
on being fvtlly informed of iboie whicb ac«
tuated him to oStx me advice fo singulair
and mysterious.— ^How infinitely was my
impatience^ curiosity, and disdain^ height
cned by his answer !— — ." I hear with ad«
miration^ madams a determinati^ wbicB^

THE B£C£S8| &C» S5S

from a perfect knowledge of your charac-
ter^ I ougbt perhaps to have foreseen ; ne-
Terthelew^ my sentiments are not altered
nor less nrged^ could I divulge the reasons'
on which Jbhey are grounded ; but decoruHv
and delicacy give way to your commands
and the ^)ccasion. Nevertheless I find H
impossible to commit them to paper. —
Dare you give me adooission at mickiight?
I shall be near your gate upon the chance;
but he wary in the choice of my conductor^
as perhaps my life^ nay^ even your own^ de-
pends upon its being supposed you never
had any private correspondence or com'mu-
nicatLon with me«''

How did my nature take , fire .at this
incoqiprehensible letter !^Me to stoop to

secrecy !— to be exposed to shame! ^The

unknown danger with which he represented
me to be environed^ appeared wholly in-
diiFerent^ so exquisitely sensible was my
soul of the imputation of dishonour.— -At
times I resolved to shut out Murray^ and
leave the brooding mischief to disclose
itself by its effects ; but love fcnr my daiigb-
t$x controlling the strong spirit of indigna*

I

tloa uiseparbble fron iimocefiee^ I jieUkd i

to the sttggesiioas £»f pmdnice^ and pre«
jHured tQ admit; bim. -r** isurtd fo^ everjr !

olfaar specica of taString, I knetr iic^ Iteip j

to^Ui^ before any bomaii hemg. > |

JMEj perplexed and imitated mkKl passed
tfarougii tbe infiDitnde of possnbiiitietf ^

withottt fixing upcii OQe*-^At' times I mmi»
gined all the cauktim of Ike rayid lienry
had been insttfficieDl> and that tlie King^by^
means of aoiae lost or ateereted letter, bad
been fully apprtai^ of kis aon's ^tachmeal
to ua, aod the hopes that were gvoiiikdedr
upou.it; though evea then I knew not whj<
tny life should be in the qucstioti ; stilt lem
could 1 iiaagiiie it eodangered^ had hm dis-
coveries reached fariher> aod tjobeedt out the
loog«huried secret of my bkth. Invdved
iu buay^ vague^ aad alarmiiig conjectures
I bsMtdly knew bow to wak with any pa-
tieiice for tlie singular he»f ^pointed t&
ascertain them.

' Sen^hle^ by the deep effect this took oft*
niyown^xniod^ tb^A it must dieadfully shc^ck
mj daughter's, a»d still fiaterkig myself
tluit thidiadisitiact daoger jBUgbtbeihe cre«^

tTHE BBCE&Sy Si):. SJ5

ttioi» of a ieftpondmg temper is Henr/s
favourite^ I resolved to wait the evient of
my midiiigiit inkcririew mtb If iirraj^ ^le I *
eoofidftd more to my liarjT than tbt mml
have alreadjr karot from the chaftge in mf
resoltstion rei$peeti»g ^ntth^ Englftitd. But
as to see b«r. nat to eifpl&ifi all; (lor boi»
cooM I kope to ym\ emolioiiB which borol
itidigftootlf ot» mj dheekt f) I tent ber
wofd that 1 wa# si^acd with a violeat bead^
aob, wbith'i would eadeatour to romad^^
hy aloep ; and aecootpanied this memge
with a iww book she had an eager deaire lo
see, aftd wbieh I sincerely prayed might
wboUy oacvpy ber attention at this intei'eft^
iog eriats.

Ob^ woirld ! bow false, bow errojieooj^
ar^ the feelings we imbibe froas the^!*^
Natore ordained sbaitto to be the companiott
of guiHj bfll oveirbeafiag citato» bos btoho
iibab tiey and ofteser bids ber fotlow Vtrloe.
Searee could 1 resohe to know my imptitied
oriaie, or look with coaiplocency on^ tbff
ainiable man who bad ventoi^d to soggMS
lint uafeveseen daager.*^! was Ibo umuMff

956 THE RECESS, &C;

effort of my reason^ to govern this unwertbir
'impulse.

The estimable Murray ivas sensible »f ait
•e^aal constraint^ and, by the generous cun-
fiision with which be appeared before mei
restored my mind to its^dignity and compb^*
sore. His monr^iingy and the tears rwhicb
iollowed^ the name of his lost royal • md3t6r>
drew foithimiae>^and> at once, blended our<
feelings. Sir David, with infinite delicacy
and address, entered into the Prince of
Wales's singular illness, as well.ast the variw
0US opinions his^death had given rise to:— ^^
but how.dtdt my soul freeze with horror to
learn that there were many (and among
them some of bis physiciaqs) who. believed;
him poisonedl The killing grief such, a
suspicion must at a more tranquil moment
have caused, vanished,, however, at once
lieflHnetbe confused and rapid sensations his
j^lowing. discburse occasioned.— r Oh,. let
me pause here a optoment.to adore the indul-
gence of the Almighty^, which alone conld.
bave enabled my intellects to support^o ter-
lible lii^hoclcus the report that it wasfrom.

THE BECMS, &<.v 257*

my hands he received the deadly present \
I looked at Murray awhile in speechless
astonishment! — ^^Anger^ shame^ and bortor>
divi<kd and tore me in pieces. — I scav<;e
heard, his prayers and adjurations^ but^ push^*
ing him from my feet^ shntup ev^y indigo-
nant sense in my swelling hearty and only*
hoped it might burst with the. deep convul-
sion.

A considerable time elapsed ere I was
enough recovered toinqnire into the origin
of so black and. malicious a calumny. I
then conjured him to inform me who was
supposed to be its diabolical author. — ^To
tins he, answered^ that when the equivocal
decision of the faculty respecting the cause
of the Prince's death first reached the
Queen^ th^ vehemence of her griefs as well
^H that of her teifiper,. made her instantly
join with ^hose who 'pronounced him poi-
soned. — ^This doubt was no sooner published :
than it became general ; every domestic of
the Prince's household became by turns the
object of suspicion to his fellows, and some
of them had been weak enough to ascextaia
theii; safety by quitting 0e kingdtMn. TW

t98 na ucBta^ Arfr..

mnMv hf Ak Bwam MMohirtlid wit

KftAg becaioe MybiAsd: thai the mdameMff^
caUrtropfae o£ hk youlhfiil.beii hnd bem
M^th« coflKmuLcMMiseikf satav«i; nhna^ i^i
a^oiiec, bjp aone- iaconfiidieasiUe ■ieias><
the TagiM sMpttknui of tire jsiih^ai^ irh iek
were far from eKtingaished^ though wholljir
HA&xeidy lemed wi^ added fiaroe^ aoid
omieied ia me» it waa iwm ganeiattjp le*'
ported tbat the PxiDcsa of Waie% m tha&
laafc iMiliDa paUF mt^ Ikai tested floncdrj?
presem^ttt (a litde nlreskmeftt of urindi be-
itas . eatxemely fisiid^ thopgh fortunateljr
tiie diskractm of my mind nt that pefiod*
had pra^ietttad anf fcoa^ oSenag biai any>
\rbich fi[M»it liMy wef« ffomoa^, jw bia laslr
iHiiess vi^kUj ta^easad ionnediately aften
It was well kaowD Aat I had betn lh& can-
sbkat object of bk daMrioii^ rai«ne9r;'*afk^.
eK^ry vague or arfstecioM ex pfcawo n vhteb
had escaped bioi at those uitertatsy had>
been rememherad^ traced^ aiul stpfiimA with
diabolioal iagemii^. The tmgtdar poecaa-
tion of bis.cbQQ8ttg to tea hia cnra. pa|«^

THE R£C£SS, hc. ftfS

Ifarot had e^ly setred topemuade tiiQ pw^
jiidic€4 multUttde that the unfemnBaltt
Prince wq& unwjUing to stignatize her who
had destroyed him. By snch plausible and
base su^geetbna the eyes ctf an i^fiaoMed
wbA afBtcted natioa had beea led to-«
vai'da the solitarj dwellin^^ wheie, xktiCGn.^
sekms of imig&r^ I vemtmitA hmied^ m n
jrief the most charitable ino polled only ta
semorse^ There wanted .bat little to ineite
tiie peof^le to anticipate the strdbe of jurtieey
by tearing me to pieces^ when the Kii^
ti mfnuat d the general suspicioii hy a re-
Bfiwe^ a&d more minute inquiry into the
aaSktire of his sK>n'a visite to me^ tiieii coa<%
llniwftee^ and clesign : no person fae^ng aUa
to aatiftfy hit coriosaty, he drofit basdb and
Mnhiguoos expr essaona ; and that seipefab
eil bia £aiK>ttnt«& had sin^ce nrged the pro-i
ppety of bringing me to a public trial ; a
Bleaamre which had the whole weight of the
Queen's faxteml. Ahirnied and uncertaiK
jhow to proceed^ ^ Bavid bad understood
»t this Teryjuiictare my infarntian of retaril^
into Holland ; aadf by^ aii^nposing me }Hes«
m^vaisiteA with the Amtietf^ of the poUie^

S60 THE RECIlSd, &ei

bad unwarily reduced himself to the painful
necessity of repeating them.— He oonchided
with hinting the prudence of .abiding by
my former design of immediately qnittisg
England^ as in indtanves where the prejQ**
diceS'Of a nation infeclsed even: those indivi^
daals intrusted with the execution of its
laws^ innocence itself was scarce a protect
tion : biassed judges might easily mistake
presumptions for proofs^ nor have candour:
enough to vindicate the faoBonr wiliek bad
thus been questioned.

While Sir David yet spoke, a new world
displayed itself before me^— Ah i how.iiii«='
like the paradise pictured by my guiltless
mind! — ^Those coantenaneesr in wbteh h
yesterday saw only the living image 6£
their Creator, now glared -upon me like so
many -fiends. — Ahorxible gulph seemed to*
open beneath my feet,, into which a thou-^
sand hands sought at onee ta precipitate
me, and my timid soul retrei^ed in vain
from the danger.*— To live undtstioguished
*-to die unknown, were mortifications suf-
ficiently grievous.— But the • bare "idea i>£
l^ng arsaigned— dragged as a pre-'judifedk

tHE R£C£SS| SctU SfCi

{CrimiBfil before a partial judge, bad some^
tiling. in it so tremeodous,. as made ever j
other tevil appeac ease. My blood floweil
iJtapetti^toly through my &ame, and my
beiriidered judgnieni minted -strehgth t4
gOTern the torrent.— ^A malice so bold,
profound, and cBabolicel, coald have ody
ooe author> but ^vhere to look finr that one,
J knew not ; nor could I cecollect a human
-beiag I hfid iqjui^ed, . or a villain I had proi-
voked.-^Like a^ wretch «awftkened by assas-
isivis, in the darkness of midnight, I knew
MQt byat ^lat the':faand raised 16 ward die
.,blQW. might. bleed on the presented dagger«
Iq this: .terrible conjuncture I had only Vir**
ti^e. to befriend me : though^ alas> virtue
Jherself half withers before the blighting
.]>reaih of Q^lujutiy ! While Sir David en-
.fprced. the^rjguments he h^d already urged
tO::induce^ me^to quit the kingdom, my soul,
by one of those, vioknA exertions gre^t oc-
jcas^nsi will sometimes produce, recovered
;^U ;h^r powersj-r»-ln4ignation subsided svt
.OQO$ i^tQ C<>^itude, and anger intoheroim*
-rr5f You have hitherto only seen me. Six
J>avid/' said I,—*' it is now alone I. can be

) ^OBR ^^•Hsbwkhmog with Imnw Hk

tiift .imi^tittttiMis 51M1 lui^ explained^ I ydt

line lioi xe&peal unless I essi confote tiieMi

v^Nfio, not even cosdenmation conAd iiidaoe

•leto il J) and le«ve itiy honour b«fai»l tucf.

i~WhsEt ! jfaall I hli^t the G|>raitig votoes

i)F<aijd)iId, by estpos^ hper^ wiili ttijnielC

to uliineritsd censam i Tbt pi^ide> the

pleasure, of uQSulliad virtiipe> wss ali iop*

•tttla^ permitted ine to retAio of the i»milh

<«uid :hoaouTS mhidk onee^itterdd lie^dve

way lyduthiul etfes-^-^nor did I uftdervinlue

^e «rost dear «od sucred of all posMbsibm

•*^ali», even that is nom ravidi^d £wm me,

itfnd one way alone caxi it be nefritMd^-^

Despesnte as Jthe effort seems, it mitst be

;puntui«d— ^yes-^I will see the King ^frliat-

'ever it co«ts tee: surely, the suiuted ^tk

iefche royul Henry would «|^ear to "vilidH

«cate .my ionooenee, (lieaveM'!') ibut I

"diottkl li\'«e te know it que^stionedO were

ieifery other means to prove insufficient.— I

^UtFouble you-uofsAftker, reispetted Mu»-

My, unless you will ^Mgtt tx> ^Mvey a JMier

tiu^ laoid iiocb^«jer> requestixig a pHratc

«i««li<jje4if{^.'King.*» ' ^ - . . ^ .

« -Atk idea ^06 ^ifigulaf transferred %be Vki^o*
nhkieA Murray imi at -fyi^excitci in fde 4o
tes tmfi mkkA ; that <tef mtcllects'^ere 4;oiicfe^
H tfaeii seeing to\hiim "very probable^ but
J^rceiviBg %batlwe6 mktrems botli of my
sefiFses virfird temper^ be presumed n^tto 0091^
^rvd wilih a «pirit injury bad *fie¥v*d : tatdy
Hftwk i/irfth tbedignity 1 assamed, began t9
oelicve I had indeed something importanl t4
dfeclose, tboogh quite at a loss fespecli*i^
Us nature. I wrste to Lord Rochestet
(lurw newly ereateB Earl of Sottrerset) at;*-
•Wording to the fdea I had formed^ and
Murray, having engaged ttiat the letter
should ,be delivered early in the mormng,
departed with the same caution with which
he had entei^, leaving me aiooerr-Al6ne
did 1 «ay ?-*-Ah, gracioas heaven, liever
was I less «6 !— <Phe Aades 6f all 1 had
^sptt loved «sesii^ to -gatbef v&mi me on
this irfierefi&titYg oecaasion, -and volumes irf*
obscure ' ideas cuAed hnpetuan«ly througk
toy Wain.— I had anexpeetedly i«achfed tht
^K^ ^nt ^ ^y*»«te,— ftiat impoirtant
«*ottient *o rfften deiayed, '%o etemaHy
Pleaded* wi» «i ^Icn^ uarme^^ ;and ^^

S64 THE RECESS, &a

long-tretisored secret on the verge of being
publi9hed.«^For^ oiyself I had Icog ^^eased
tp fear— tbe fraterpal ackDOwledgmebt of
the King. c<>ald now add nothing to my
happiness ; since^ alas, that incomparable
youth was gone for whose sake alone I de«
sired it ; nor could his rejection^^reatlj^
embitter a fate which had left me so little
to hope. — ^But, ob> when I remembered
that his single breath might blight the tenv
der blossom I had exhausted my very being
to. rear— precipitate my youthful Mary^
ere yet her virtues were known^ into ai|
obscure and dishonourable grave, where,
where, could I gather strength to cope with
tills idea?.

I employed the remainder of the night in
collecting and arranging such plausible rea*
sops as should amnse my daughter's mind
ttU the <event was knowi^ ; thus sparing her
all the pangs of'suspense*-"! gathered to^
getber . likewi^ every paper and proof
which could authenticate, the rights I was
.cQm.pelled to fiyow, and, on perusing the^t .
puce mpre, foipnd such reascM^ to,.be assured,
^ot pnly of safety^ but .distiocli^Dj, that j|

THE RECKS 3, &C. • i6S

saered calm succeeded to all the transports
of grief and indignation with which I bad
of late been agitated.

By a feigned invitation from ; a neigh«
bouring lady, who permitted me to render
her house my convert ience, I ^ent my
daughter abroad for the day; and scarce
had done so ere an express arrived, to
acquaint m^ thdt the Earl of Somerset
would wait on me in the afternoon.

What were my proud emotions when
the upstart Somerset littered my court with
a princely retinue l-^Alas, the only Princfe
who had ever entered it, with a noble con-
sciousness, despised such idle paradei .By
oppressive offers of service the £^1 made
me sensible- of his importancJe, and sought^
by unbounded adulation, to gain upon my
hearty and dive into its intentions : but it
was not by such a medium I sought distihe*
tion* I .politely avoided referring either to
the slander, or the purport of the requested
audience, and only thanked him for having
obtained me the ear of the King ; half
blushing to have gained it by so conteBap-
VOL; in. N

266 THE RECESS, &C.

tible an ii>tercessor. I perceived chagrin,
curiosity, and disappoifltment, stroogly
expressed in his reaHy fine features, but I
could not prevail on myself to confide
aught to the man Prince Henry had
despised. The Earl took his leave with the
same profound deference, and assurances
of service, with which he entered ; having
appointed the next morning for presenUng
me to the King*

As the privacy of the promised au-
dience enabled me to dispense with form,
I made no addition to my servants, nor
any other alteration in the weeds I usu-
ally wore, than that of forming them to
the model of my mother's dress ; which
ever rendered the likeness 1 bore her
from my very birth striking and obyi-*
ous. A thousand half-forgotten occurrences
pressed upon my agitated soul as I past
through each well-known apartment till
all were lost iii the present, by my reach-
ing the closet of the King. The assiduous
Somerset, drest as elegantly as though he
had meant to charm me, advanced on

THE R£C£S8| 8cC. 9,6f

my being announced^ and politely offer*

ed his. hand a snddeu chill came

over me: 1 trembled lingered

drooped^ — ^but resolved to conquer myself
or perish. I shook off the scalding tear
which hung upon my cheek, and accepted
the favourite's introduction. — ^The superior
air with which I affected to enter was no^
necessary towards confusing the King, who>
always awkward and perplexed^ seemed
more than usually so; and doubtful, whe-*
ther he should not fly the moment he saw
me, or at least call back Somerset who had.

instantly retired. Bending my knee in

compliance with custom^ I instantly rose,
and, retaining the hand he had presented
to nie, fixed my eyes, strongly animated hy
the occasion, upon his ever-varying coun«
tenance. '^ Your Majesty," said I,/' doubt-
less expects to find in me a weak sup-
pliant, soliciting protection, or suing fer
your pity ; but on terms like these I had
never bent before you — t come to claim a
dear and sacred title hitherto unknown^
but never annihilated. Does your hearty
N 2

S68 THE RECESS, &C.

eh, royal James !" added I, melting into tears^
tf recognize nothing congenial to it in these
' features ! this voice ! the timoroushand which
'grusjp^ yours for the first time, in fraterna)
alliance ?r^h/ sainted Mary^ dear author
bf my lieing;^ look do^n from hearen^ and
touch the heart of your son^ in favour of
the desolate sister ytrho nbv^ stands before
him« The King started^ receded^ gave ma-
. nifest tokens of doobt and displeastare^ and
, sought to draw away the hand I obstinately
ietained«^I kis^d^ I bathed it with iihpa&-
tioned tears/ ^' Shake me not off, reject
me not tinknown/' resnmed I in the deep
tone of stifled ang^iish.-— ^' It is neither
pride^ vanity^ or ambition, whidi induces
m^ now to publish a secret so long buried
in my bosom. By the ashes of onr anointed
mother, I cohjnre you to hear— ^nay even
to believe me.-^Bora in obscurity — reared
in solitdde, the early victim of misfortune^
long suffering Jaad reconciled my vineary
soul to every evil but disgrace: against
tbatshe still proudly revolts.'^The sftme blood
vAmh flows througb your veins, bursts in

THE RECESS, &C, 3^9

tumults along mloe^ at the very thought pf
aught unworthy-r-it urges me to assejrt my
innoceoce by iadubitable proofs — ^it zpillh^
acquitted, before men as well as aiigeU ;
nor does the claim thus avowed rest on my.
declaration alone, your Majesty, will see in
these papers the solemn atl^stafionA^ tjie
unquestioned hand- writing of ypnr royal
mother; itir tfie$c you will find %ke cqtxQt
borating testimonies of many nobk ftnd
Tinblemished persona. -^PeriNie them cwr
" tiously^ imd oh, beware how you pre^judgf^
me I'' Unable, to utter another wordj, I at*
most sunk at tbe feet of James^ and gAve
way to the oppressive^ tbe agonising sea*-
sations such an asra in my life, could not
fail to awaken« The King still regarded
me with an irresolute, uneasy air^ coldly
advising me to compose myself by retiring
into the anti-chamber^ while be perused
the papers, on which he had hithertjo oply
glanced his eye ; though even .that cursory
view had deeply tinged his cheek with
aileat conviction. I was met in. tlie outer
room by the Earl of Somerset, who, per*

870 THE KECESS, SCC.

ceiviDg me near fainting^ ordered water
ftnd soch essences as are customary, re*
maining himself by my side, as if osteuta*
tiously to convince me that he did not in*
fluence in the least the determination of
his rpyal master. — ^The bitterness of the
conflict was, huivever, over the moment
the secret wa» avowed, and my spirits soon
began .to recover their wonted equanimity.
The obliging efforts of Somerset to re-
vive me did not pass unnoticed, though my
watchful ear followed the footsteps of the
King, wha still conthined to walk about
with an unequal pace, stopping at intervals*
He opened the closet door at length, and
Somerset retiring out of bid sight, made
signs to me to re-enter it.-*-^ — ^The. King
came forward to meetme wkh a^bility, and
seizing my hand slightly saluted my cheek.
— — *^ Take coarage, madam," sai^ he,
'^' for however you may have surprised us
with this sudden declaration, and wonder-
ful discovery, reverence for our deceased
mother's rights, and justice to those voh
derive from her, oblige us to acknowledge
Tou as herdaus^lUer/'

THE RECESi^, &C. 2?!

And- DOW I was indeed near fainting; I
might rather say dying.— To be at once ac^
knowledged as the sister of Jaines^ as the
daughter of Mary ! Hardly- in my happiest
"hours- had I dar©<f to flattet myself with
the promise of what- was now so incredibly
realized. My susceptible soul indulged the
exquisite transport^ aiKi one short moment
compensated for ages of anguish.— -A thou-
sand^ impassioned^ incoherent exdamatiens^
burst from my lipd^ and giving way t(&
the genuine impulse of gratitude and af-
fection, I threw myself, for the first time
into the arms of a brother^ nor remembered
that they were those of a King. Never
did the most consummate hypocrite coun^
terfeit- a joy so pure> so* perfect; -and
though I cou4d have brought no other
proof of my birth, the sacred throbs or
Ualure might well have ascertained it*

The King sat down by me, and, turning
©ver the papers he still held, questioned
me at intervals respecting those that ap-^
peared mysterious or deficient. I entreated
bis. patience while I briefly ran through the
N. 4

£72 THE RECESS, &C.

l¥oncIerfti) events of my life, and tbos very
Bftturftlly i^d his attentiuD toward the sole
o1i>J€ct of my cares,- my hopes, my exist*
eace > ' ■ --^* I have already heard much
pf your daughter/' said James ; '* they tell .
Hie she is beauty itaalf----why have you thus
^trfapgely qoocealed her?" As I could
npt declare my real reason, which was
suoply want of esteem. for hiscbaraoter, I
ylmded TJiiious trifling ones, tiiat indeed
Imi never infliaeiic^ me, '' SayBomone^?
aMd' the King, interruptiog me, ^^ I easily
^MKeive^ Madam, you was uol so r^eserved
to every osenml v plainly disoera w^o was^
fom confidant; haSd I earlier been eatroated
with your secret^ it would have been hap*
pier fpr all, imd I should then have beea
able to account for^'-^-He paused ere be
came to the dear name of his son, and sigh***
ing, dropt the unfinished sentence. As t^
me, entranced alike with bis unexpected
candour, graciousness, and gbqerosity, I
•evemly reproached myself for relying on
report, and not proving the character I
ventured to decide upon. . I had a long

THE RECESS; &0. 4i79

conversation with the King afterwards,
itvery word of which heightened my confi-
dence^ esteem^ and affection. I gathered
from many expressions^ that he feared op*
position on the part of the Queen, and his
favourite; and was fearful that this late
declaration of his mother's marriage with
the Duke of Norfolk would not fully sa-
tisfy the minds of the people, or establish
my rank sufficiently. He paused upon the
whole, with the air of one who is a parly
in what he meditates; and I thought the
least I coisld do, was to leave the regula-
tion of the important acknowledgment in
• his choice. — ^To be vindicated in his opi-
nion, I truly assured him, was the first ob-
ject of my life, and I submitted my general,
vindication, in' the public acknowledgment
of my birth, entirely* to his better judg-
ment. That I had been so many years a
solitary being in the midst of [Society, as
not to have one friend to whose inclina-
tion I need yield my own. In fine, that
time had gradually robbed me of all parties
interested in the important Secret I had just
n5

874 THX aj:cESS, &c.

confided to him, which now rested solely .
with him, m; daughter, and myself. He
replied that *' this instance of my prudence,
a* well as regard, infinitely heightened the
partiality he had already conceived for me ;
nor need I fear his delaying the acknow-
ledgment longer than was absolutely ne*
cessary, since he could not but look on
3uch relatioQs as inestimable acquisitions :
©evertheless, as he had many points to con-
sider, and many persons to reconcile, he re-
commended to me to continue the same cir-
cumspection I had hitherto shewn ; but
that he could not restrain his impatience to
behold the fair maid of whom he liad beard
so much, and would come to-morrow even-
ing to a seat of Lord Somerset's, whither
he woijd send for myself, and my daugh-
ter, and h(^d by that time be should be
able to ascertain the Jay for publishing
my birth^ with a due regard for his mo-
ther's honour ; after which he could gra-
^tify himself :by €;stablisljiing me in a situa-
tion that should make me forget all my-
misfor tunes. '^ — ^Those misfortunes were al-

THE RECESS, SCC. S75

ready forgotten in the unlioped-for Iransi*
lion of my fate. — I took my leave with tho
.most proftnjnd grg^titude, burning with im*
paii(e{ice to iutipart this blessed news to my
Mary r and as the King did not offer to re-
turn the papers, I thought it better to leave
.them in. hi& hands than- confirm tiie dS;>ubt .
fay long silence could not but give rise ta
in his mind^ vi^. tiiatl wanted confidence
in his honour. ; >

I "hastened to Richmond' and coniiJauni*'
cated thi» surprising, this- happy event, tp
my darling girl. A thousand times I en^*
folded her to my delighted heart, and fouitd
every transport doubled in her participar
tion. She tepderly entered into ?ill jaay
feelings, and sweetly soiiled at the eager-
ness with which I sought to adorn her fox.
the next day's introduction. Yet, consi-i:
deringthe King as the slave of exterior, it^
was a material point to heighten herbeantjj^
by every adventitious advantage. To pre*
sent her in absolute black was to recall tb^'
most melancholy impressions to the mip4
of James I I therefore resolved to ligliteji
N 6 '

i76 THE RECESS, 8ct.

her moWniHg with a faaciful elegance.—*
I drest her in a vest of black velvet thrown
back at the bosoia^ in the French fashion^
^itb a semicircle of rich lace points^ which'
shewed at once her graceful waist and
crhest to the greatest advantage. Her pet-
ticoat was of white Satin^ wrought in deep
points roiMld the bottom with black velvety
and richly fringed with silver. A fuller
coat and train of : silver muslin^ wrought
with blacky fell over the satin one, and was
looped up to the waist at regular distances
by striiigs of pearly and dragged toward
tile bottom into points by the weight of
rich black bugle tassels and roses of .dia-*
jQonds. Full sleeves of the same siiyer
mtksim were braced above the elbow by
Jlrings of jet and roses of diamonds ; and
from thence her arms were bare, except for
Mmilar bracelets circling each wrist. The
lich profusion of her auburn hair, which
feU'in natural curls below her waist, re*
«[uired no ornament ; but to avoid the
Afiectaiion of shewiBg.it, she wore a hat of
white satin, with u narrow fringe of black

THE RECESS, SCC^ iff

bugles^ and a waving plunle of fenthers.-i^
This splendid dress^ on which the legacies
of both her father and Anana were dis*
played, by some peculiar happiness either
in its make or mixture, became my VLwrf
beyond any I had ever seen her wear. !%«
f^nd mother^s heart anticipated the impres*
sion she would infallibly make^on her uncte^
,and drew from her heightened beauty the
iiappiest presages.

Ah, who could have conjectured* tbut
this brilliance and parade wer^ only des«>
tined to- forerun one of the most dismal

moments of my life ! ^That an inhMmati

tyrant had delighted to employ the treo)*
bling hand of misfortune in .'decking a
gaud}* pageant for herself €tefnally; to
mourn over!

At the appointed hour a - close cMriage
csifne for us, with doe attendants ; and. as
the Kiiig had desired me not to. bHng any
of my own, I rigidly obeyed, nor evto
hinted whither I was going. Tb^y drove
us a lopg y^By\ while engrossed-by mndita-^
lions on the approaching itxterview, as w«U
as concerning the dear crea^re by me, i

S78 Tjrtfi RECESS, &a

hardlj knew bow the t'uae palssed. My
daughter at length observed that it was far^
iher tban she expected. I looked aut>
|>ut it was too dark for me to distinguish
«ny object^ and dl I could discern was- an
iucsrease of attendants* ! called out aloud^
and one drew near, wlio to nay inquiries
^€spcclfully -^replied, that the King had
^en detained. in London^^.whither they were
hastening by his orders* This informatioti
qjii^l^ us again ; and I strove to recall my
flattered spirits into their usual channel by
JUurmng th^ conversation on our future
pjrospects. Nevertlidess we went on at so
great a rate that I thought it impossible we
should not be near London, when all at
once I found we were driving through^ aa
unknown village. ^The surprise this oc-
casioned miras doubled by my daughter's
throwing herself intQ my ai*ms.--Tlt was not
immediately thai I could compFehend: Wi
when she told me that a light whick
gleamed from. the window of a cottage bi^d
shewn her .a number of armed soldiers. —
Erom this alarm we were no( yet reouvexed^
when by a sudden jrise ao4 hollow .$o>indj^

THE RECESS, &C. ' 279

we perceived We had passed over a flraw^
bridge ; — immediately after which we
slopped. As we alighted I cast my eyes
round a large and dreary court- yard, where
a few straggling centinels were, planted^
but neither lights^ splendour^ or dttiendnnts^
indicated a royal guest^ or a favourite's resi-i
deuce. The gloomy passages through
which we were ushered seemed rather to
lead to a prison than? a palace. — Arrived
at an empty apartment^ I gave wdy at
once to the dire and obvious truth; and
arraigning in silence my own egregious,
credulity, felt, severely felt, its every cotiw
sequence.

-An officer who bad preceded us now
offered me a packet, which I ueceived as
the sentence of my fate, buiimade nor effort
to open it. — Hope, fear, .curioyty, ^very
dear and powerful emotion, . were aniiihi-
lated by instantaneous conviction ; and', a
stupor succeeded more dangerous and dread^^^
ful than the most violaiti opbratiams of the
passions* My d^ughfcei*, more terrified by
_ this still agony than evieui jtbe cruel and
uuejifpected .ev^u.t of the evening, threw

£80 TUe RECESS, ^0.

herself at my feeU— -^^^ Oh, speak to me,
my mother!'' exclaimed the dear one;
^^do not indulge the desperation your coun^
tenaace expresses ! do not consummate to
ycmr poor Mary the horrors of the mo^
ment !"--*I gazed at her with a vacant air {
but nature resumed. her rights, and fondly
plucking at my h^art the tears 1 refus^ to
»y own fate flowed lavishly fox hers.--S6
yjoung, so fsur, so innocent, so noble — :bow
could I but bewail her .► purely those ma-
ternal tears alone preserved my senses at a
juncture when.etery tfiing conspired to un-
settle them. My Mary, by an expressive
glance, requested leave to open the packet^
and startbig at sight of the paper it contain-
ed> put it eagarly into my hand : a glanc^
informed ne.that it was the defamatory de-^
olaralion the ciafVy Burleigh had deceived

' my sister into signing while a prisoner in
St. Vincent's 4hbey. The King, in send-
ing this> only added insult to injury, sipcfS
the testimonialisi I bad delivered to him
migbt have invalidated a thousand such
vague and artificiid falsehoods'; yet had

*xt a fortunate effect^ for nothing less could

THE RECESS, 8iC. S81

have roused' tay spirjts from the coW and
suljen torpor which every passing nioment
seemed to increase--*^' Inso)ept Barbarian !**
exclaimed I, *' not content to, imprison tb«
unbs^^py. offspring of the Queen who bad
the. misfortune of giving thee being, dost
thou delight; in villifying and diebasing evea
her aiihes !--Ob, paper ! dictated and prer
served tur^ly for my ruin ; by what singular '
$liAoee/ba9l ibou survived the very views
thou wert i^vmted to serve. — ^Treasured> as
it appears^ only to e&ct a purpose yonr ext^
«cr«kble Qoptriver could not foi«see.<-^Yet
i»f what eQn#fqvienee is tbif single attestatioii
jbowMrds aniaibUatitig clainos all tbose.I de«>
iivered bad not power to establish in the
judgment of a cruel^ insidious tyrant^
who voluntarily sbuts his heart alike to
reasoui virtue; and nature ? — Devoted to
iielf<-interest^ vain of a petty talent at de«*
xCetving, contemptible in every rank^ but in^
famous in the highest, he meanly watched
the generous impulses of my heart, and
wrought out of them my ruin, — Yet why do
I name myself? — ^Alas, of what importance
is it to her who no longer wishes to live

2S2 rHE RECESS, &c.

%vliere heaven or rfes arbitrary delegate shall
have appQinted her to die?-— It is- for thee,
my daughter! for thee alone my soal thus
overflows with inexpressible anguisla.—
Rescued, in 'yet unconscious childl)ood>
from slavery, neglect, and obscurity, for-
tune at one moment seemed willing to
restore all the rights of your birth, when a
weak, credulous mother assisted the cruel
wretch who was^pre-detemsinedtioemtomb
you, and annihilate ev^ry trace, every me*
mortal, of our dear and honoured proge-
nitors. — '-^ Nameless— dishonoured — your
blooming youth must wither in an unknown
prison — blighted by the ^tears of a parent^
-who can never pardon herself* the extrava-
gant eri^or produced by over fondueas«— I
knew the King ta be nieatr, base, subtlei yet
I madly delivered into bis-treacherous hands
«very memorial on which our hopes, nay,
^ven our vindication iiMist be grounded."—
*^ H^ar me, in turn, my dear, my honoured
mother," cried ray sweet girl, bathing my
bands witii tears of veneration and fondness.
" Alas, the order of nature is inverted, and
I am obliged to becouie the monitor. — Re*

THE RECESS, &C. 28S

collect the maxim yon have so deeply im-
pressed upon my mind — that the malice of
man M^ould in vain strive to make us wretch«-
ed^ did not our own-ungovemable pa^Mons
aid his artful machinations. Ob^ let ua
respect even error ^hen it has its sonree in
virtue. — ^Ta have distrusted the King were
to deserve to be rgectcd'— leave him thea tt>
the contemptible satisfaction of having
vrrestQd from the widoi¥ and the orphan
the last treasure of their Uves^ and let us
examine what be has been compelled to
leave . us. . Have we not yet the power
of looking down on bis throne^ and all
its specious adtantages» even from that
obscure prison where bis autbority conr
finea us?— Have we not the pride of
reviewing our own hearts without find-
ing aught in either unworthy of our Crea-
tor or: ourselves ?*-For the vain grandeur of
that nam^ of which he has unfairly de-
prived us, can it be woith regretting while
be lives to dishonour it? — Fortunately no
favourite view depended on its attainment,
consequently no hope is blighted by the de-
privation. Have I. not often heard you say

284 THE RHrCES3, &c.

A noble mind can become every thing to it*'
self?— Let us rise superior to our fortune;
^me will soon calm our spirit»^reaaon will
reconcile u^ tx) the inconveniences of our
fate^ aod religion elevate us abov.^ tbem.«-r
Mourn not then for me, my much-loved
oiojAi^r/' concluded the dear ooe^ sweetly
smiling through her tears^ '' since I shall
Mver think that place a prison which coor
tains you, nor that fate a aiitfortnnc.I owe
to. your fondness.''

Ob> virtue^ how mv&l doit <hoo a^itaiv
sublimed thus by generosity ! When I saw
this half«blown human blossom support the
Morm without shrinl^ng^ I blushed to have
bowed my bead before ii» When I hMid
her^ -I with Spartan oottrage, apply to h«r
T>w» situation the noble tenets I had sought
not vainly^ to imbue her mind witbj could
I fiul to profit by the principlea t bad
taught? — ^From the admiration she excited
in my soul sprung that pure and elevated
heroism which calms in one moment every
human weakness and turbulent passion.;
disposing us to turn upon that fa.te it enar
bles us to judge of. '

THE BCC£S8. &C; 2S5

I now recollected t&at by & fond variiijp
in decking my daughter in ftU her yaluabie
^iikmonds^ I had inadvertently provided
iLriAple nieand to buy the fidelity of ouv
fieepers ; nor were ihey 5aware of onr trea-
sure, as the severity of the weather hwi
made me wrap her in a long cloi^k lined
with fur. I hastily stripped her ct>stly drettf
of its richest embellishments^ and secreted
them. Ah^ with what dijf&cnlty did I stido
fhe tears and angnish which struggled at
my heart when I remembered the different
views with which I adorned her !

Hardly had we executed this prudent
resolve, ere the man T have mentioned
presented himself once more; he wad
young — not unpleasing — had an air of
integrity and profound respect, thdt A
little prepossessed me in his favour, even
under all the disadvantages attending oar
meeting. Our countenances were now
calmed, and our resolutions taken .-^He
appeared surprised alike with this traiksi*
tion, and the beauty of my daughteri
whose magnificent but disordered dress had
ft share of his attention.-^He was flattered

S86 THE RECESS^ &C.

with our civility, and assured us '^ that every
accommodation consistent with the strict
Ofders of the King he should take pleasure
in supplying us with ; and wo^ld, with our
permission, make us acquainted with our
new home." He then produced some keys
which opened double doors at the farther
elid of the large room we were in, and con*
ducted us into a chamber neat and commo-
dious enough. — The key3, he informed
Us, were comtnitted Solely to his charge;
iand that whenever inclination or con-
venience induced us to change our
apartment, we had only to touch a spring
he pointed out, when lie would attend,
and unlock .the intermediate doors. —
The purport of this extreme caution was
very obvious ; it excluded every possibility
of winning over a female servant, as all the
d(Mnestic offices would now of course be
performed in either room while we occu-
pied the other; nor was he suffered to
supply us pen, ink» or paper. As the
(conveniences of these apartments, and
the air of respect in our guard, shewed
some attention had been paid to our wel-

THE RECESS, &C. 287

fare, ae well.«s the roost judicious pre-
cautions taken to prevent our enlarge-
inent, I neither imputed the one or the
other tb the King, but rather both to his
cunning favourite. My inquiries were in-
terrupted by the entrance of two servants
who set out an elegant supper, of winch
neither my daughter or myself bad spirits
to partake. Resolved however to gather all
I could from my attendant^ ere anoibeir
should be put in his place, or suspicion make
him* dumb, I a«ked.the name of the Castle^
and it« owner; but to these questions he de-
clared himself enjoined to refuse replying;
'nevertheless, I conjectured from his looks
that I/did not err in-supposing Somerset di-»
irected him. The refined artifice of of-
fering to introduce me to the King, and
even remaining by my side^ while perhaps
my ruin was eiFecting by his will, seemed en-
tirely consistent with the charncter Prince
Henry had given me of that worthless fa-
vourite; though I could find no crime in my
owii'Conduct that coyld possibly irritate him
to bury us thus alive, unless indeed our at-

S89 THE RECESS, &C.

tachment to that lamented royal youth ap«
peared a sufficient oofs. . -
' In the gallery leading to our apartment^
I observed a centinel planted^ from whom
we were shut by double doors^ safely locked;
perceiving we were thus effectually ex*
dnded from every hope^ and chance of free-^
dom^ I desired to pass at Once into a ckam-
ter, where I did not flatter myself I should
find rest.

l^y first employment on rising was to
examine thje windows^ as well as the vieW
from them; they were so closely grated
as to convince me that however comfort-^
able our residence^ it was still a prison.
The apartments we occupied formed oiie
aide of a quadrangle of old buildings^ most
^probably l)arracks, but now entirely de-
serted. On making the signal^ Dunk>p (for
«o Was our guard called) readily attended^
and we passed into the other room where
we found breakfast ready. Trunks con-
tainittgall kinds of apparel had been placed
tbere^ and Dunlop recommended to us to
form, our minds to passing the remainder of

oar days m cbnftheiiient. I did'not submit W
hear this, without demariditig the- authority
by which he ^cted. He ptoduced an ordter,
Mgned by the King> strictly enjoining him'
to keep lis in skfety, and bfeware we neither
wrote or received a ktter, or indeed hel*
-any kind of communication with the'
worid.-^While bespoke, I eiiamined every
Mneament of his countenance, but fiddity
VTAs wrAtBo th^re in such legible; characters,
that r dared not ma(k^ any effort to bribe
him, lest if itfailefd he should publish that
1 had ther means, which mi^t in a momciit
utterly impoverish iriig.

A' fdW wfeari^bme utififortft days only had
elapsed "Whe'n* every hope decayed, and my
sphits flagged' at once.-^Alas, my mind
bad no longef th^ vivifying ardour, the
itiexliatistiyi^ resouices oF mibrokeh youth
•s? — it^ bl6oto had passed aWay li^ie^ a sha^
■dow> arW' aiH its* fire? evdp6ratied.-^The woe-
fal'realiti^^ bf lifeh^ dissipated the bright
. il:ki«i<^s • of iittagJAatloh.—^ Every Jiumail
gd6* ^as, iri my estimatidn, shrunk int6
so small acompasS) that freedom constitutj^d

VOJ-. III. o

390 THE RECESS, &C.

a very essential p^rt of my little possessions.
~I was no longer able -to rely upon con-
tingencies^ and sunk at once under all the
sadness of knowledge. — Not denied the re-
lief of books, I pored over them in vain ;
every idea w*s still . persuing an absent
good, and my senses would reject the su-
blimest author, to follow the careless steps
of a weary centinel, or listen to his whist-
ling. Whether my daughter -had really
iBore resolution than myself, or only as-
sumed the appearance of it to save nie
from despair, was a pbiut I could not as-
certain ; but the complacency of her mind
and manners was invariable. By. a thou-
sand little affectionate artifices she engagdd
me to w^ork while he read, . or read while she
worked, nor would perceive those melan.
choly reveries it w^s, impossible to overlook.
I was not, however, thankless for the bless^
ing left me. That ray eyes ppeped on her
^very morning, still wade me bless it; and
in composing myself to sleep, J nightly
praised the God who yet suffered her to rest
by me.

THE RECESS, &C. S^l

Two tedious months elapsed in undecisive
projects. — Dunlop, ever present, vigilant,
and respectful, precluded alike complaint
and temptation ; but as if to guard himself
against the latter, I took notice that he novr
never remained one moment alone with us.

The impossibility of forming any judg-
ment of our centinels while divided from
them by double doors, and the danger of a
fruitless effort to seduce one, had at inter-
vals engrossed my attention ; but the mind
cannot dwell for ever on a single idea, or a
remote and uncertain project. Wearied
out with this, another suddenly came to
mj relief. Though yet early in the spring,
the weather was uncommonly beautiful,
and the lenity with which we Were treated
left me not without hopes of being allowed,
under rigid limitations, the liberty of wajji-
ing . in whatever gardens the castle-walls
enclosed. By this means I cguld examine
tjie countenances of our centinels, and if,
1 saw ope in whom humanity was not quite
extinct,. I thought I might find some means

to shew .jhim a jewel ; thys praying I could
* " • • ' • ' • o 2 ■ ' ■■* '■

QffZ THE RECESS, &C.

largely recompense him, should he have
the courage to assist us. Nor did my
lameness wholly deprive me of the power
erf 'waHdiyg, though it prevented mty en-
joying the liberty. — ^Aftcr considering this
plan in every possible light, I saw nothing
to forbid the attempt, and ventured the re-
-quest. — ^A few anxious days elapsed ere I
had the satisfaction of finding it wasgrant-
^ ed, on as good terms as I could hope.
Jjiinlop acquainted me, we must walk se-
parately, that the person confined might
be a. check upcSm her that was liberated ;
-who should* not remain in the garden more"
tllinn an hour, nor quit his sight one mo-
rti^nl. These restrictions were as moderate'
as I could expect, and I eagerly prepared
tb profit by the granted perniission, ere I
veninred my daughtier : certain I should
at least discover the str^rigth,. height, and'
situation of the Castle. — JDunlop, followed'
l)y two other men, attended upon me. I
cast'an eager eye on the centi'nel I passed"
in the gallery, but saw no trace of s^iis^^
feehng, or curibsity in hiis« IfKe littlifgar-

T«rE .EXCESS, &C. ^*29j3

4ep w^^ iPi so-an^igue a. style^ and ri^)^}|s
.A.cQn^itiop^. as pli^inly ;pr6v^d tUat ^l^l^j^i^-
.njji^tlad buildipg .WA» ^ow ,<^\y a prMi^p,

nA§iiteFer ijs /prmfir ,4istiQc ticnu Ti>e . m^^
jk^ui^dit ;|i{>p^ajied de^jajKld, ifii}d pqt.^firy

.fj^y.— ^0^ pne :pwt of the.teciface Lc^i^l^t
Jjhe cpKuer pf .51 ^tow^qr I fortoied/beloftg^
to Wiu^^pr Qi^kj i)At df^re,^ not .v^^ntiweja.
word wbJQix plight' inpiply de^ign^ and ce-
■ tvi-ned without jisting ^a. .jingle .([yiesjtjop.
My daughter pow ,to^ l^ir tturn : aftjl^ gs
jye COD tinned to cl(uin.t,h^s relief wheoev^r
the weather favoured, I fancied it improved
,her hearUh as yveil as rpiy own.'

It.chwcedajt le^gth^ J one day found^
cjentiuel pn.guai:^ whose eye expressed bolih
pity ,and euripsUyr— Mine addressed ittself
to him in' a mb^t pointed mannei-.-— With-
out altering the position of my hand (ifi
which I always carried a diamond for ihj^t
purpose) I opened itj and the soldier, as I
wished, surveyed the jewel.— I turned my
head at the instant Dunlop was unlocking

,tbe door, and the centinel ^hook his e^i.*
o 3

594 THE RECESS, &C,

pbatically .- Yet onlj' to have been under-
stood revired at once my spirits, and my
•hopes ;• for to escape did not appear so im-
practicable to me^ as to gain an assistant.
'I saw him no more for a week, Init soon
found .that day was the periodical one for
- his attendance. Involved in - a thousand
'plots, the want of pen and ink seemed to
• condemn them all to inhabit only my brair,
when at once I discovered a sabstitute for
those useful articles, : From the middle of
a large book, which we had unmolested
possession of, I took some of the printed
'leaves, and from the conclusion a blank
one; out of the first I cut such words as
-simply conveyed my meaning, and. sewed
them on the last.— *^ Assist us to escape,
and we will make your fortune," was the
substance of this singular but important
billet. To ascertain my ability to realize
this promise, i wrapt in it a diamond of
some value, and carried both ever in my
hand, still hoping fortune would enable
me for one moment to mislead the attention
of my guards; but, alas, Dunlop far from
relaxing his vigilance^ continually increased

irHE RECESS, &c. 25^5

it. The two men who followed him in the
^ garden now attended to my door ; remain-
ing as spies on me while Dunlop opened
•it. Thus circtimstanced, I could not make
the slightest overture without being liable
to detection, and I dreaded awakening the
most distant doubt, lest it should condemn
us to a more rigorous confinement.— One
favourable omen occurred. ^-The soldier I
had selected clearly understood me. Isatv
his eye ever anxiously fixed on my handr
as if ieager to transfer its contents to his
own: nor had I, ceased to- flatter myself I
should yet do so, when an unforeseen inci-
ifent at. once annihilated every hope and
project, and plunged me in the deepest
Borrow. .

- I had always counted the moments of
my daughter's absence ; and nothing but the
"conviction that air and exiercise* were ne- .
cessary. towards her health could have ena-
bled me to support it. What then became
of me when one day I fpund her walk un*
tisually lengthened'!— I endeavoured to per-
suade myself that my fears foreran the
danger. But more than twice the usual
o 4

yentui;e ^u^ioquiry, lest I,s\\ottld si^gge^t^a
hintto;poy pexsccutogrs ^yhich hithenp bf^^
.Ci?c?iped t^e^. Tl^e hours thif^ ps^ssed oo,
bvit Mary i;elvirncd iioUr-^h nie! wbil^
my ^eak band repeats IhU, I almost .empire
under th^ reqQlJection, — jEj^ery eYijl,.trfy uu-
toward fate bad yet .teemed wi^h .became
peace, ^lay pleaHure^ on a cpoiparisoQ w ith
this. Thougb the tuibu^ence of each pjuc-
ceeding s^oriu b^d .s\^ept away invaluable
tres^smes, something yet reoifdoed my
.weary soul might ding Jo,r— This singl?
gem, this solitary reliqjie .of jlU piy for*
-tunes,~,i?30j;e4^r; ^Of^ P?ifC¥W fri?m fipp
cooling so, a^drejftjjfi^l, 41 deceitful cajmb^
at length swallowed up even while -I .w^;^
^arless of Jthe ^lapger.-^Hearl struckr-an-
capable at crapce cit^her of distingjai^uxig px
complaining, my xespiratiop bqcaipe |>eir-
turbed and deep. A ^^^\ agonj, nior^
di:eadful th^n the wi\dest tumults of .th^
passions, ri^ipibed my very soul ; every hair
^eemed to .start frojp and piexce my too sen-
sible braio ; while drops^ cold as those of

TJHE UE.CESS, *C. . '297

^4^atb, chafed oae anotherjdoivn myscarcely .
throbbHlg :tQaipl€s. — !tVhen Dunlop pre-
je^[vtjed tiuns^elf i iQse not fraoa the eactb—
. J.:u:ttered not.?^ s^yllable ; — but rrfting.<ia eye
tQ biai which would Ua^^e juelted a jstivage, .
be turned away^ JWfil^e to support the sbook, :
aad offered me .some oiiAQr from the King, .
bewailing at the supae momexit the painful t
duty imposed on bim.. This roused my
tprpid spirits-*-! tor^e it indignantly into a*
^^houfiapd a»toms: re8enimc>nt sestoi-ed my
sj>ieech.-Tl calkd for nety Mary. in tke most
.pi^rcing»accecils— nathipg c«uld suspend or
spitjgate my anguish. I bitterly repuoached i
. Dimlop with te^arija^afi^be.beaateQufi inijocent
frpfn beriini[>ti>er'&bQ«>m.ouly?to jdeliuer her
up to ^.ss^s^ins.- In \cain he .tkcla£ed hiia*
self inpJvpable of aucb villainy, aod actLoig
jg>4er the orders of tb« Kiog— rln v:ain he
.ft^ijr^d me ihat «b?- was .only renaoyifid to <
.^^Qih^T ftpajEtment, safe and unhurt. My
.®jul i^J^ected m\1 : bis asftartions..^-*^— Mary-*-
MaCry — Mary !^was all my convulsed lips
§:0n\A iutter, or my disconsolate soul dictate. ^
j4b^ Gfidl tb« JU)litude *th;Eut sucoeeded!^
o 5

258 . THE RECESS, &C.

Food, light, air, nay, ^ven life itself, be-

>came nauseous and insupportable. -

■Stretched on the cold ground — drenched
in my own tears, I gave way to the deep'
. misery, the tremendous void, this barba-
► rous separation could not but plunge me
in.— How long was it since she had been
. the very essence of my existence ! From
the sorrowful moment which gave her into
my aims to that which tore her from them,
she, she alone, h^d occupied my_ every
sense, and enabled me to support every
affliction. Never, though I had led her
myself through an admiring nation to the
altar, and joined her hand wfth that of the
incomparable Henry> never could even that
-advantage have compensated my yearning
heart for the loss of her society. What then
must it suffer to recollect that a savage had
ivrested her, for unknown purposes, from
my arms ! Nor could I, amidst all the hor-
rors this idea teemed with, fix on any dis-
. ,tinct one. * .

- . Oh, that melodious voice ! Still it seemed
.to vibrate oa my ear^ but no Tpuger could I

TIIP RECESS, &c. 299

hear it. That unmatched form glistered
through every tear, but evaporated vrith it:
The most deadly glooms came over me —
,a thousand times i raised my rash hand to
precipitate — the unfortunate Rose Cecil
alone withheld me. — I often thought I
heard her aerial voice; and despair slowly-
subsided into resignation.

1 now exerted every effort to gain upon
Dunlop ; but too faithful to his execrable
employei'sy I never won more from hirn
than ihat my dtiughter Was still in the Cast-
ile, not only unhurt> but treated with dis*
tinction and indulgence, — Yet how could I
credit such improbable assurances ! or^vea
if they were true, ought not an indulgence
iso partial to alarm -more strongly a- mother's
feelings ? To every sblicitatton once more
to behold her I received a positive deninl ;
;nor' was even the liberty of walking notf
allowed mc. I often inquired why I was
thus-restrained if no injury was mtfditatfed
to my unfortunate child ? To question^ kif
•this kind he^ never answered, but left ihe'to
my own flttctuating; coiyectures** -Th^
06

SOO THE RECESS, &C.

yiere so numeroiis and frightful^ that con- \

viction could hardly aggravate the evjl. *

Nevertheless, as Djinlop seamed ever anxi-
9QS to compose my mind by reiterated assur-
ances of my poor girl's safety, and as thejoe
yras an air of candour in all he uttered, I
l^egai) at length to concIuc|e that the con-
temptible Somerset had aspired to the niece
<^f his master, but from being already in^r-
r;ed to the divorced Countess of £s$ex, ha^
^^ dared to avow his passion. I i;€;collect-
ed tQo late the singularity of his being iirith
Prince Henry when first we Igebeld tha^
jmiable youth ; — the assiduou? xespect he
ha4 3hewn in waitipg on me at Richmond ;
—the affected offer of bis interest v^i^ a. ty-
rant whose will he so well knew how^t^.iDake
fubservient to his own ; — the combinatioui
^f i;efined ?irts by which we had been led to
throw ourselves into the prison selected for
ja^ ; — and, finally, that the prison was pro^
J^ably a house of his owo.-r'Through the
jvjhole pf this, a» wel) u the manner ixx whiob
pe were guarded^ there was a policy too
f^jykte fioor a J^iojg io i^> and too jvatcbfui

TH>E RECESS, &C. SO*

to be tbe work of an indiiFerent person. —
When by a just turn of thougbt^ we insen*
sibly unravel any hitherto inexplicable event, .
how does the mind disdain its former blind-
ness-! I n4>vv considered with wonder m;^
long want of perspicacity^ and found sotne^-
thing every moment to corroborate andl
atrengtlien the idea I had adopted.

To fix on any thing certain appears i&
the exhausted soul a degree of relief; and
though^ at some moments^ I dreaded art and -
violence might be employed, if gentle me*
4^od^ failed to undermine the virtue of my
sweet girl, yet I much oftener flattered my*-
self that she could not inspire a passion so
groiss and unworthy ; and knew her soul
superior to every other seduction. From the
ip&tant I ventured once more to hope^ all .
my plans for escaping revived; I had no
longer, it is true, the privilege of passing be-
yond .my apartment, but misery is e v^r in-
genious, and I was pre-informed of the days
9^hen the compassionate c^ntinel guarded
tiiie door ; nay, I fancied I often heard him
draw near, attracted by my sighs and groans.
—The note 1 bad formerly prepared was-

302 THE RECESS, &C.

yet in being ; I sewed it to a long thin slip
of whalebone, and, on the day when he used
to be attending, worked it gently under both
doors^ at a time when I judged no other
person near, and softly rapped at the inner
one. A sweet hope rekindled' in my heart
as £ felt it drawn out of my hand. I watch*
ed in vain the whole tedious day for a reply,
and often fancied my effort had heea be-
trayed to Dunlop ; but as I did not percGive
any alteration in bis countenance, I became
reassured ; and concluded that the soldier
could not write, nor perhaps even read, an^
if so, a whole week must necessarily elapse
ere [ could learn his resolutions. The ex-
piration of that time verified my last conjec-
ture. With unspeakable satisfactioa I at
last saw a billet introduced intomy^olitude^
by the stoe means I had successfully ven-
tured. I was a long time decyphering the
almost unintelligible scrawl : *^ I pity you
lady^^, from my heart, but l know not how
to help you ; it is true, you are rich and' I
am very poor, but then; it is impossible to
get at you ; if you can think of any way, 1
am ready to assist/' Ab^^ G^d ! hpw did I

THE RECESS, &C. - 303

lift up my eyes to thee, who hadst thus
strangely opened.once more to me a commu-
nication with that society from which I had
been so unfairly wrested ! In moments like
this every thing appears possible ; already I
seemed to see my prison gates open, my
daughter in my arms, and our honest as-
sistant rich at once in our wealth and our
blessings. Having had the foresight to
prepare another billet, I conveyed it in the
same manner. '^Worthy soldier, is my
daughter safe, and yet in this Castle ? if so,
tear away all but the word, yes, and my
soul shall for ever bless you." How pure
was the joy with which I received the pre-
cious monosyllable !

To prepare another billet, comprehend-
ing my plan, was a work of time ; with what
perturbation did I undertake it! To corr-
dense my meaning in a few words, and yet
leave it obvious to a common capacity, was
not an easy task. — I thus at last effected it:
''Generous friend, win over him who guards
my daughter's door, while you are at mine,
and I will share with both of ypu the rich •
jewels I possess, of which you saw only the

• 30*. TH^ EECE&3, ^&C.

smallest. Observe the farm of .the keys
Dunlop briogs^buy 9)£iDy ^^ ae:ar them as
•possible^ «nd so .various that spme ipay cer-
tainly fit. — Procure likewise two regimental
suits^ that we may p^ss the cenjiiiels uu-
que^tioned; if you can raise the little money
4iecessary fqr Ahis, fe^ not to spenjd it ; J
will make your fprt^ae in the moment our
doors are opened. — Restore me to my
daughter — conduct qs to the gal^, and we
' will both beseech the Almighty to bless tj^
^riches we will joyfully leave in your bands."
^ Having dispatched this^ I yvaited i;he de- i
ciding hour with the u^p^t ^^i^ous imp&<*
i^ience; ^nd scarce dared to raise my eyes
from the groupd^ lest Dunlop should read ip
jthem aught thatinight alai^ his suspicions*

How tp dispose of myself, and daughter^
Jl^h^nput pf 4h^ Cl^tle, was a qju^stion I
I could not de43ide i:\pon; but I flattered
anyself that ^s w;e ^bpuld have some houris
the start of pur per^ecjutors, we might reac^
London j vyhere it i^^o^ld iiot be easy to ^pr
pr^h^nd peri^ons who ha4 bcien iipprispi^e^
Wthout any judicial inquiry or seijijtepqe.-^

THE llJiX.E4Si &C. tS^

rrrr— «lj9tl¥ if ^^ ^oWic^s .should not l|e
. :h9n9st — the reward we mfut bje^tcw >WQU:ld
^wcoye )vljfkt yre pofsesjfed^ %^vd our liyi^^
^ight -lie %\ie fprfeit, y^et such wsis lo^y^
desperate sta^te, that evqn ih^^ iu5fisoui:\4^Je
appjKeteiisiQn did not induce i%e f^^e ^jc^q-
jnent to.be;3itate.

The appointed time i;evolved^ :^pd I J«-
ceived anot^ier biljet. ^^ Be ready when all
is ijuietT-Trev.ery thiQg i^ prepared if j^ifftOf
the keyg ^fit. JVIy cc«aai;ade and self ^n^ft
-jgo .with you .te ^cure our owin safety^ hut-^t
>will like,wise.secui;e your's," Qh, how 4ifl-
oay Jieaiit boAud ^at.tbis happy iniejlignptcei!'
,rr^y lewagaw, wy l^jn^egis, t^ ]^as /o^o^-
4te&. Maternal lpve>,aQd habitual feaj^i ^eiefQ^
iCd to .wing mje with supernatural po,w?r^ .
As the importAnt moni^ent appro?LC^ed, I
iknelt and devoutly itivoked the assistanc|5
of heaven. Ah ! not in. vain -y for the firafc
•effort of the soldiei'js was successful. I jrea^hr
^d out a rich and jready hjand to eaich.-^
They received the contents with exti:eiii0^
satisfaction^ and, jconjuring nje.to presery|i
the most profound silence, locked the da^r^j^
aM led. me to tbeiurth^r^^idepf t,be Ca^Ms*

505 THE RECESS, &C.

At the threshold of my daughter's apartment
they gave into my hand the disguises I had
desired, and agreed to wait till we werfe
ready. The tender meltings mothers only
know thrilled through my heart, and sweet-
ened every apprehension, as I gently made
my way from a dark room towards one
where I saw lights still burning ; but fear-
ful of alarming, my sweet girl,, I hesitated
at the door. What was my astonishment
to perceive that the ap.artmjeni was gay,
magiiificent, and illuminated I — ^I. thought
at first that anxiety had bewildered my fa-
culties, but tlieir truth became evident wlien
they centered at once on my daughter;
who, elegantly habited, had sunk on a
couch asleep. A writing table covered with
. due implements stood before her, on which
lay a letter it appeared to me she had been
answering. The deadly colduess,. the name-
less sensations this^ extraordinary scene
could not but occasion, at once suspended
even the most powerful emotions of nature.
A repulsion so terrible obliged me to rest
my head against the pillar of the doar, and
flti'Qggle some time with the sickness, aad

THE RECESS, &C. 307

confusion of my soul, ere I ^couW gath^^r
strength to penetrate into the fact. She
still continued to enjoy a repose, it seemed
to me that I should never know again, and
I had now lost the wish of awakening her ;
of escaping — alas, even of existing t Sldwly
at length I tottered toward the table, and
catching at the two letters I mentioned,
appeared to grasp in them my very fate.
The signature of the first made its contents
almost needless,

[^ A few days, a very ^w days more, most

• charming of women, and { shall be able to

* indulge your every wish -^ every thing is
now in train— pain me not, therefore, in thus
pressing an impossibility. The heart of
your mother is inexorable to me — it has
ever been so, and I neither dare trust her
with the truth, or you with one so preju-
diced, till the law shall have annulled my
detested marriage, and the King agree to
my union with yourself — I live- but in that
hope ; it supports me under all these , long
and tedious absences. Why will you call
the safe home in which you are enclosed, a
prison?-.— The whole world a-ppears so to

.1^401 yito ^I}olds wit^i gkfisi^e only tli^t
-P|>Pt ,wb^etB9U,dweU, To-^opjow l abaJI

.is ihe .boflaew ih^i^t iSi*sQ^p.tible ! ^oqe ^£
J9M lh<e .exi^ufeiie .yastoy X bigid biibeFto
.Jeoo\^n^ lever surjiagsed ^lUs .new ^iJ^* My
..dkdaiafaLsoul JjeGailefLfr^wn c^xfiji dic^depr
©bject of its affections — :hy\iiQ&A^y, .tb^t
ifiSiwnee of tail /^ic«s, -bi^ <<ytoleu iujto -ber
^iaeart under tbe name^of tloye^ ^and bligb^iod
Ntbfi vi^ues yet -blossoming — fearfully 1 >|ae-
-msed ber letter^ to end ^very -doubt.

^'^'.W.bai.ages. of solitude;^ of SAuBTedng^o^
*your love, my lord, iiopose ^n xne ! In .vain
you would fill up tbat place in my beart, a
parent so jxistly revered must ever bold.
Put you. still talk of to-^monow-, stfid to-
morrQW^ — alas,; it. is a day that may perbups
oaevereome — ^youtbinkmevapQurisb^butyoii
\know not baw strangely my illness incre^isos
— itis acute apd violeat-TrrOh tbatlcould lay
•wiy burning bead, one moment on my mo-
4ber'$ bosom l^-Catbarine ga^e m^ ^some

TifE RTECES^, &C, 309

whey yesterday ; I don't knoW,'— perhaps I
wTOTig ber, btit I haVe not beei* mysdf since.
A thousand gloomy inJageS have taken pos-
session of itiy mliid ! niy eager ear is filled-
M^ith imaginary fen ell's : I could fancy my-
self dying : you will laugh pei^haps at this
weakness/ but I canhot conquer it— ^if I
should indeed judge right, release my mo-
ther I cbnjup^ you, atrd conceaV for eVAr
frbm: ftet-^— ^^

Aft; what? exclaimed I, in the niofet ter-
rible agony, for at this utifinished sentence^
the letter broke cfffJ-^i^Di'sd^ini suspense^
ailg\jish, contended Within mi*, and* shook*
my frdme like the last struggle of nature^— ^
Of all the horrors that bewildered my mind^
one, one alone, could nay senses ascertain.
-i-^-^My' hapless girl- was( indeed dying-^
WJin and hMlbw wer6 Ifhbse checks late^ sa
flbrid-^the icy ffAg^r^ of death- were^ im-
pfessred upon her tettiifrtes, andttte eyes she
H^aVily opened; as^ hef woe-strdek mother
dtopt upbnreartlf; had 6b loii^r either life,
bfea^ty, ot '. Itttiie — Oh) that my sool had-
^fecape* 5rf thfe g¥6aa - Which followed this'
horrible conviction ! — She faintly slirieteedj

SIO TKtE RECESS, &C%

and remained iu a kind of stupor; tender^
ness, however, soon predominated in my
mind over every other sensation. — I threw
my arms round her in silence, and the tears
which deluged her cheeks, alone declared
what passed in my soul. — Still she uttered
not a word, but griped my bauds as though
the pangs of death were indeed upon her,
I in vain conjured, intreated her to speak ;
it was long ere she had courage to enter into
a detail which she had neither breath or voice
to go through. ^' Condemn me not wholly,
my mother," at length cried the dear one,
'' however appearances may incense you*
I ask for only life enough t<J acquit myself,
and will to my last moment thank the God
who restores me to your arms, though only
to blush away by being in tliem. Yet have
I no other crime to avow than that reserve
uocpn,querably interwoven in my nature,,
Alas, yesterday I thought it a, virtue.-! —
Heaven ^ill, perhaps, give me strength to
go through ^tbe story, at least^ , I ought to
make the effort,— Oh,, deign .to pardon my.
Qompelled jibrvptp^ss, ^ijid ^lear.^i^.with,
patience! ...,.;,.. - i

THE RECESS, &C. 311

*^ At the moment which first presented
Prince Henry to our knowledge, he was
acconoipanied hy the Earl of Somerset, —
How my .eyes conceived the partiaUty mjv
reason could never erase I know not, but
they decided at once in his favour. — Whe-
ther the Earl perceived the involuntary
distinction^ or ^as led by an equal one on
his own part, is alike unknown to me ; bu^
I understood the rieluctance he felt when
obliged to give way to the Prince, whom he
left with us — the contempt with which
you afterwards mentioned Lord Somerset
strangely shocked and alarmed me; yet
m^y I own it) I secretly accused the most
upright heart existing of pride and preju-
dice ; and found a thousand reasons for
suddenly disputing a judgment which had
been the rule of my own. — Durina: the fre-
qu^nt visits of Prince Henry, when pru-
dence indi^ced you to send me abroad ; alas^
to what a temptation did you unconsciously
expose ^le ! Somer^^t availed himself of
those opportunities, and, by distant ho-
mage, copfinned the prepossession I had
i|ir«ady.; conceived. — What shame, whaj;

3

51^ ' THE RECESli, &C;

sbrroir, what hutniliation, has it cost
ihe ! Can you ever kno\^ a* more exquisile
misery* than 16 bestow ybxjtt, heart uhwor-

*^ thityi to bfe humbled' without guilts— ^cbia-
flelled to blush hourly for errors nbt yoiif
own — arid reduced to a perpetual conflict
with those powe'rfiil and natural emotipiis^
which formi, liridfer mor^ fortunate circum-
stances, the felicity of youth J Sensible by
the curious attention of others, how inju-
rious that of the Earl might in tiihe be-
come, I requested leave to remalh a;t home;:
and awed, in spite of myself, by youi* sen-
timents, boldly resolved' to sacrifice' the''
erroneous inclination of my heiirt, arid re-
ci5ived the vows of Prince Henry. To se'd
you happy, to flatter hito witfrthe hope of
being so, for a tiriid dlevat^d and amuserf
iny nilnd ; but solitude soon restored it to
Its favourite object*: S6ttiei*set still ptes^nted
him*<^elf, and I took pleasure' iti' the tear$
in which I drowned hts adteii-fed image.
By some m'^ans or other I found letters
iVom hini frequently in niy chamber.*— ^I

dared not inquire how^ lest! should^ awaken
ybuf su^picion^': alas,- peHiaps-thW^wa*

THE RECESS, &C. 313

t)fie of the fine-span w6bs With which love
ever veils its errors ! I found him regularly
informed of all our designs;-^! knew it
was in his power to cross them by a word;
and I began to esteem him for daring to
be silent. During the last progress of the
King, Somerset resolved to profit by the
absence of Henry, and apprized pf the in-^
terviews we granted the Prince in the pa-'
vilion in the garden, as well as of my habit'
of sitting there, he determined to take the-
chance of pleading his cause. My stay
Was by the rising of the moon unusually''
pfdlonged* on the evening be had selected'
to present himself before me, 'The pfctle
light served only to Aadow out his forpoi — '
any human one must at such a moment'
have appalled me.— I shrieked, and was*
half^fainting when the sound of his voice'
dissipated my terror. Surprise, perhaps joy,"
that instantaneous confidence we ever repose
in the object beloved, doubtless reassured
him. I was scarce conscious I had granted
the audience he demanded^ till he fell at my
"voL^ III, e

S44. Tue, Rf q;E^$,v &;(?•

fciQt to.tb^ .n^^ Tbe,ai^.HP?, in .wj^icj^o
li^ av^Qvv^d^JiU ,pivs}^n, m^^^m^ seofi^e...
tQp late, tluyj liwi.iU di^gispij my p^^^ j, I ;
ku<?.5y:^iot vv-^e/^.I slvp^y have jbAfJj^e^pl^r-
ti^^i ^total^p^mp]^ doing so joiy^h Jpijg^,lia4 ngjl;^
ouii,coiivei;$^t\9n l^e€in,^ujd^^ly intesrjapijjpd.f

dismjjj;, eijtf j;f d,„tl^e , psL^ilUvp,^. ^\y yqu;^,,,
ha^d^dr^T;^' hyMptbitljer^^lxji.the:. soy);^d of.

lo,Y:^^^ij)t I c^ujg^t Uis arpi:au,d.^Wjii^j.j|,,

tes\.,t^ ibis jL)Q^t^, I ,fle,\v „afteij , th^, Prin,cfi,|r- ,.
HfyQxy, Hd tb^a^o.Jiiinfley\Qi^,tlie ^e^ja^a^j^,
thg^e^vag^f but,jep^^le , o^ th^j^«Q^ssi^jj. ^
<>fr>^^i?/W'#t«iS.f:bip.and,,,tbe.E^rl^ at,j*Mch..a ,

^S^^S-'^^fisCo Tb^gligfet prtbe,jjmpon,£iftT.
a?^6{^M^;;^ ju4sKtf^>«^^h^^lj>eF»U<te:e^lIai?^

lecrglh a f^atnexplaMbionji ^* CoxAi .yotv)^

damgT sighed ' th^ Pihice^-; . im. a .low:/ aii*t
't€«der 4Qne, f^ I .'iinglit*«wi»h ^ta^Ji^al" yobs.;
a^.it is] s^p^*e «ne>«- J tQfoie«iy^»»i<*oiji'a sub^ii
Jectfio butitfulr; I bwn6ti<»i»bingJbO!r^proaGk'*
.yoM; with but a ^QseJ>yQ;wUk^:led>fll»lita^^
deoeive my^lf.-r^Aiii^vt, 1 f)roiiitee^ydii: in- -
violabte •:sil^n<J€.— Ife/wiio:..onoe-~tioped>vto *
cQjftsUtdito youcv /dtci ty7,>cl494aia«(Jkaiixiterfe7ci i
wjthit.! Y^t^ion0vtrukl>.l oiigiit,p«rhn{|&:ta.!
9Lfg€Jkzef0woi\: yQi»v»h^p2p>'yoi»r jfwvourod I
loiv^ris ixnoFrnd^^ ythkikf^noA I s^iJsb)to>ves^ii
any advantage frdia tibii^jnlonGniatiou^r^efireir.j
iii|0^ft6haU,I >brQatJ»e la ;yoiwrratoyoui| fedt>««-'/
Qh> Mti^yl' you (have uunddhJadiieir Hisi
w*ung. jrny ^hands.ia-HMbtagonyirofcp^soionv^
aQd'.cuebfed >thvo6gh.i the 'garden i to conceal'
tlie. sofas;, which coblqiisod to pierce my -
bdaiArrthBottglvimy. ear.i W^&t a night did
I ^aBslrr-3adi^r8l(id«uto^i«oJmiiny itiii^fable"
OH6IC I ^^ettdiiy vabse^ted' my«elf' tli'e ^ne:^ •
clay.atuthft/(Piintte?s usual ^'hoar of visiting
usu >. I xe«er isain^ ifaitti ^ft^rwarde without -
P3

31^ tat recess; &c.

pain^ humiliatioD, and c^onstraint; thoagb
he omitted nothing likely to reconcile me *
to myself. During the fatal illness into
which he fell, how continually did my
heart reproach me with increasing, if not ■
causing it! and how deeply was toy injustice .
to his .merit punii^hed, in the mortifying .
conviction that Somerset had dared to de-
ceive nxe ! — What prayers did I offer up for '
Henry's recovery— -^What vows, to atone '
for my errof , by a life devoted to him ! Alas, '
I rwas not worthy ^ lover so noble; and -
heaven recalled his purer essence, while yet -
unsullied* The sense of a hopeless iBtodun- *
worthy passion mingled with tbe ^deep grief *
I could notbut feel for bis loss. A sickliness '
and disgust succeeded — ^rank, royalty, dis-p /
tinction, every worldly advantage combined^
could not have dissipated the gloom of •
tny mi^d, or : reconciled me for a moment
to ,so€ie|ty> I took no pleasure in the ^
hopes, you, my dear, my genecoiis mo* •
ther, cherished for me; but I would not,*
b^^ ungrateful^ and thcrefure . conceieded -

THE RECESS, &<5. 317

fffy apathy. Thus impressed, what merit
was there in that effort which enabled m'e
to become youf Comforter under a reverse I
scarcely felt? — Oh, that my errors, my mls-
' fortunes^ had ended here— *that I had breath-
ed my last on your revered bosom, while yet
lunconscious of wounding it 1 Wlien the
*vain hope of freedom, made you solicft
for a limited portion of air and exercise,
ihow could you foresee the fatal conse^
<juences of that periodical indulgence*!
in the first of these solitary walks; So-
merset presented himself before me; not
the crested, aspiring favourite ; but the self-
accusing, the pale, the humble lover. — My
eyes^ however resisted the impulse of my
heart, and turned haughtily from him;
but he hung on my robe, he intreated,
he conjured, — ^he would be heard.— I feel I
shall not have time to enter into the long ex-
planation of his conduct which won from
me an pnwilling pardon : suffice it to say,
that he knew every the most secret transac-
tion in our house, nor ventured to marry till
p S

lOoiiiVtiiced I \ra$;-b«^mtl)e(l\t<3 Prtl>ct^H€Dry.

-JB^tj >oh } " ike t^wrQbell • he letpoiised !

iN^ye}i>m9^y[ yavtik^wi: rtid Qwme*. of 'vhieh
^lei Ji^s jb^orpi^cJwvUyVbeitar-gtriHy : It was
4o 'SmiisMaet's ' '- IftterpQiiJtwn .we : Gw«d . tiie
."prolottgfttbiv^^f *b«iBe)liY€s/- tibe jprfde-.aud
'fiage.pf Ibe KingMc+aecretly debated from
^Uc.mojnentffee. «eadtihe:papiers he took, a
.la^l'heiws j.j^e^tife inj-deptaroyjog.-^StiU
-wxi«iis.tfor ma, rtie*^ietrKwfv^ned cbe vlrad
<peft!jij«d€il J Jiiw^cs nto»'iinpi«9oii*fiisrta-*tbis

pj^i) vide I us f ^Ui^se * *«»rikl*ortsf t«ttd '.-ccmTOtiU
enoies^owr' vr9ytil tfelaii«nnWiH*ldvliave* de-
f^riv£d^H9;of.

"•• \ cauldiH>t Wjn$^n»iWc kK5e«rice3^1ite
tlHisejMeo^, tlindi]i\<( -iny >.wrath rfepgmii to
utniftf / i}^ jvw|ike«ied ivjupHy, ^by^sotihtog-
. ilia domestic uaiiseiritii ai>jLUuifU)ppyimamage
biidii^pofiM|d.oivluui. '£heHt«r(K3>wUli>wlucb
my. wouuded *j9Qiilf»hUjt.ted ibis. pietu*-^, in-
dued' hin^dUllifartber /to etsjilain' himself*
Ilia hppcs jof^a ..di^or^e i^^maed * rationally
gr9aBd<2d>iindLl;imdd«.Bot IniWunterdiaitaJbift

TitE-'^Edi^s, '•'Sec. 'srg

' vii5\v!^ on that liead'.-^I'was hot h6<v ever able

* 16 \7t?r*iMle him' th'af you* Wbald bver -thidk
*'as' l-'did, *dttd* vVeSikiy pfdrrits'ed a^secFecy I
;onght to*hlive''^e(Jn* ttie dUhger of^^^^^Yet,

* f he^'JIic^iidice wHrch iridiiced youto'irhptrte
^^vcii *66i' hnjii'fedflrhent' to hTiii;*s6'dfai'dd ^o
*flx4d/ 'so Tinaltfentble, thht* tttbu^h'a 'tHoli-
*'si(ii(I tlihes^the ifftfe^ritfbf cfi/nrtttfre t^tept-
*lJd:'me to tllifbld ta' you the dnly^sel^f-fet tfly
*'bt/^trf'^y6r teehied'With, I shru^k'bferdre a
"•'riUfid'^o' flfegtistdd/'nor dafi^d'to' iilCfer ohe

Syllhble* that might pain you. 'The^delays of
*iS<3!heY^et/*Hbwever nebelsSary/ alar^^
''distressed" Die . — I ^ became' cold* and 'liieTa n-
'choly;'and, too delicjite to con fide* to hTm
^Hi^'tVueCaii^es 6f thus alteration, hi soon as-
''^i^tl(?d*a false one. Pe^vishtiess'aiid alter-
'^fcattorffioV robbed our interviews of all*fhe'ir
^'^^V^efetfiifrss.— He often repr6a(?h(:?(l liie wfth
''hd\^ng opened liiy heart to ydu,''\Vho'al6fie

* t56u}d thus'^hfat Htagkhist'hiim.— Disdain
'*tr^drf'me dfie'djiy to ak^ufe him I would do
'''^o, *th(i fifst momdAt^ I agahi ^beheld ymi.—
^Meid"rmein 2v'tr^rispoi-t 6fr^ge. ^^AUs/iAy

p 4

326 THE HECESS, &C.

Jieart became sensible of one every way-
equal to it^ when I found that I was not per-

. mitted to ret^urn to your pri«on : I refused
to admit him to that allotted for me^ and

^ gave vent to every extravagance so unfore-

^seen an injury must excite*=^His answer
convinced me that this step had long been
meditated. He assured me that/' he would
sooner die than restore 'me to a mother

. who had ever hated, detested j» and despised
him without any reason^ till hi& claim took
place of hejtS, and he could call me bis wife/'
The cruel remembrance of what you must
sufifer^ soon reduced me to intreaties^ and so-
lemn promises of continued secrecy. '' They
were now," he replied, '^ too late;— that he
eould not suppose it possible I should ^)e

^ able to conceal from you the cause oif
my absence; and this, justly strengthening

, the unreasonably disgust and hatred you al-

^ ready felt towards him, would make you
go any lengths to prevent ^ union you
must naturally abhor/*— —To this he
added all he thought likely to soothe my

tht: recess, &C. 321

embittered spirit, and solemnly assured me
your mind was relieved, by a conviction
that this separation was only in - conse-
/]uenee of a new order from court. > ■
Although I saw in this mode of conduct a
chicanery and little art my nature disdained,
•I was yet glad to imagine It lightened to
you the the heavy affliction our separation
-could not but cause. I felt too late thie
. error of mental reservation, and had suffi-
cient reason to think every evil might branch
Jout frdm that little root. Having in vain
contended with the man no less master of
my life than fate, I at length was wearied
into forgiving him. < The divorce was now
in great . forwardness, and the manifold
.'iniquities of the fiend in human shap^ he had
married su(;b as could not but shock and
'interest a . heart disposed to love him. A
. thousand busy projects passed daily from
^his brain to mine, and often intervened
between myself and a mother so revered.
Every hour that went over, my head made
it more impossible for me ta appear before

8S2 tHE m^CBSSyS&lC.

you but as*his(Tri!&^ jiDd.I beoamesas: eager
as kttnself for ua.lday-iwbioh r heaven n bad.
fkre*o^ained I ihould tnerer .see. Que
irbo . pursued - her . .point votore dSectoali j^
lias eeretely puniBbcid^aili my i yodtb&il er«
jsors— Oh may .my ..pTeinittiurej?«ie2ithjfce re^
ceived, by him who siade fitey as van. «x- .
piation !-H^Haw rBhidi .' I : tell i^you ivv-taiQd i jet
I Kpanfii^— I Jiave tfien Tfkfaoogbti'jBy .food
cinctured 'ivaAhipoison-^yeatecday'^^lAiasj
any malher,^ where^^now ;youn<£MrtUnde?
-— -where is ithat ^aaUime ^ssigaittion cl
iave Nfieen c:you .eawrl ?>*** fijrget'^e »irtiin
>hppes.y©uroooe j&icBidd f4br tme-^foifgtt
that I .am.y^Hir* daughicr ; »b, ^Ibrnk-libe
'erring ^rek^h >tbis .saptrfiil t^ttiom^iit ^^ecuds
Mvas l)orn ^to <6mbj%ter i^e-id^iys'lihat'yat
. ^remain toryn^u^ attd M^^e, e^iiin^bis pain-
ful moment/^ti^ nteri^y^f IbeiAlnii^hty U-
ili J baire BOtr4Wiicd!4Hijo<ml«fo«^ifveiie6s,
igiracioiwly «aB*eodiyo«r/a:4»»tne, whale y^tll
< afn.eensiUoof^lib^ Uesditig.''

^As l^be ihmr'be«s«t&ktoiiiiy laraos, ^mtj

!lieatua*e«e€;i»cd>fchftttnk/ a]idiiM(9Ued;by: tbe

fingers pf death, -^Aias! what became of

* T« E RE d £ss, Sec. S^3

title atttipis'ciHsis! lierparo^'j^insWerersoiirCe

^•ttiore'dr^dfol thjtn 'those' thftt"%ei2dd »«rpdu

'tt y .sool-^e*very emotrorr 6f l6Ve; fMeiidkWp,

-ftitfd ' fctadted, api^e&fefc} irantttiHrn^y, ni'h^

• «rhVpaf^'nvith the-wild; uncdntfditiMc'jtn-

-^gttwh 't)f ' the r6bbed,4he 'mtrfed -*inT6t?her.

-Perp^ttraily nrady to 'give veht tc/the titifful-

«ttrdt!s- -exetrdtibns ^Itiy *treart '*pr(WimtTlc^d

'against >he artful^ iiisixHotis Waltor, >^ho h?4r

^^aHeiiKlied *trer ^dife^Ctons, 'ditd "Wdfprdd ttrc

-''xCctitdde of bet urtnid, ' m inltrirtlve' edri vie-

tton ''that soch a traifi^Ttxv^oufd 'vainly

^entWttcr the Kttte' tthie 't^mafnittg* to ^hef/

'6Mfgt'd''iHe to •c6Tifihe to sighs atid gi-oaris'

^ii\ the iniseries df the moment. 'I *drdVv litr

*1bridly*to'my bosoiii, artdfrotSr(!d'OV(?r''^h)er

'pate con viil^d 6heeks a - heAtt-brnketa mo •

ther's feoletnri absolution. *

One hotirortjtrly cou!dt)e a'dd^d* toa Sc6ne

fifethis/tiw wasit tfaiiting. The cfe'ntlnefs,

"Weaty'Of \raiting,"a*nd'§tanle'd"by ou* grbans,

iitywalkti[)tfly ^titered the dtstttlb^r.— Scared

tit the sigh t'bf my 'daughter eijrpiring inftly

^rttts^ 'tbe SeiilSe bf their (>«ni*darTg5v fe'Obri

v6

3S4 THE R£C£SS, &c;

over-ruled every other ; they urged, they
.conjured me to lea vie my Mary, now appa-
rently lifeless; but they urged, they ^con-
jured in vain. — On her 1 was soon to resign
to her Creator my whole soul was now fixed.
— The dear one faintly revived; but, struck
with inconceivable horror at sight of the
soldiers, she relapsed into convulsions,
griping hie still closer. Ah, God, the celd
chill that followed ! whetf I found her hold
relax at once — ^the world vanished from be-
.ibre my eyes— they beheld only the fair
form^ which sought a grave on the bosom
where it first found a being. — Inspired with
the fierceness of a savage I grasped her yet
closer, shrieking tremendously, and with a
strength surely supernatural. The confused
4md incensed soldiers, having used every
persuasion in vain, made the most violent
efforts to sever me from the last, the dearesl^
the only object of my love. Threats, in-
treaties, art, and force, however^ were alike^

yjiin nothing could win, could tearlier

from me. They presented at length their

THE BEGESSi firC. 325

^bayoDQts to my bosoin^ and bebeld me widi
. surprise dare the blow* — Perhaps they had
really pierced it^ but that some woiuen^ al-
tendatit on my daughter^ novtr rushed iato
the room. Fear for their own safety obliged
the soldiers to forbear urging 'or enforcing
me further. They seized the intruders^ lest
any of them should escape^ and^ having
.bound them> sought safety in flight. A ter-
.rible calm succeeded my intense desperation
^ — —the blood which bad tumuUuou&ly
burnt along every vein now returned in tor-
rents^ to choke up^ and drown my heart.
7— The black fumes mounted thence to my
brain. — With a grief-glazed eye, I cpntemr
plated the pale and precious cheek from
whose rich colouring I of late drew life, till
Ignorant that I either suffered, or existed.

Seldom enough myself to distinguish the
shadowy forms that flitted round my bed,
and always too indifferent to utter a single
question, I opened not the curtain, nor cared

t<*lio -n»as;*«yoiid it. --^^Viagtte-AHtl siQI^
^exclawalions alone - irtfotttted ' me -of ' the-
-lUii^ger :of :<tuit fktkl ilkte '^Wbich raged
fwithln toy vuins ^-^Bdfiger'^iiid 'I ^y r— I
I0«i[ght TMher ♦o b*ve caHed -^t "reftk.
:Durittgthe^sbort 'ifttfetrakof ^ i&y^deBriiini^
:I ^VcdunMiriiy '^»n^ m ^H^^ce ^and^r ^he
:g\e(m Md debifity it »}ieft. '^S^dtenly *I
•WAS ^eifted *Witb 'Sttdh -ftSltefs ^^rtid "gas)?-
♦ffgs, a§ ^9^^m^<-to *ftdieftte-«n httttredtate
temrtnjitimi • of '^ety 'bflurati icffidticn, —
•My -weaiy soul '1*0 veffed/At 'tfae ;gatetif
*ts'pri<ton, iflfrtd I felt ^s 'if '^ 'Single •tv^fd
^^ilM ■ Teleaae it ; b« t Hyia 'tidtber- Ability
W 4«dliftatk>a 'to '|>ronOtftrce *that'?ford ;
«nd thongh.'I perceiv^ that cv^ry cor-
tain A^S'imdraMMi to give me -atr^-I itrised
not -my <jm¥^4ng ''eye-^lMs * to disttngtrisli
the two persons who anxiously held each
hand, as watching for the last beat of
the faint and hurried pulse.

While thus in the very^strij^ggle and
Huctuition. incident to parting "nature,
a Toice suddenly reached my "receding
senses — a voice so mellow, ' calm, and

>

4klgUfeVi«4 *bese 'Words: '^*^@'li, Almighty
©od !/*w»Sth ^bom i^dd Kve '>the *spH*its bf
%fee^^iftt *inade perfect; ifheu! *Hey ttfe'de-
4i«rer^d ^ftmn '"*berr -easily ■ pri^bns ; we
htXttMy ^•eomtndfid the -eoal - 6f ttiis-tlry

^s^iiito "th^f ^f ^a Hfo8*l*ful » ©r^tar^^^tta
ttidfitiimeroifiil Savkmr !" Aif&int ^l^t^I
1X»9iEie^to i^I^8eimyilia«d6/n«ith^Uie'4^
«f raisi»g'iiiem UocKsacds bedi^ft^^ o»us^
tbe j5rayert*a<'c6»Be. ^An amotion I'COttM
4if»t fiesiiBt imMte me Kft my f*ika\ < €*fes
40 rbebrid^ ^If iftOt i^bsol&tfely ^4*0 Mailgd,
the thAjfiuin ^bei^ ^tliitt ^mofet '^v«9etat>l#l
i3«e* -At tift 74aWe m*ar j«y jped ^knelt ^a
i}2hifg3«M», whose ^reir^fe lid Mi oi4ts little
k^^eatiTe\yrb\etiK:h4id, >b\il it ^t^d'^%&lMi
^botihu^ 'iV«cii^i3:tfifie» eyos^^tiviHifiiirfi^emi^
•to i«^«tt i*he Divioity fifae aer¥€id-^e»re
:^cid:«af«rlftiiBeihad ntvcnn'tm^er* in erery
|Hr£fect:£caiR»Ee ; lanld '«j|»3 JftAe puMty^.i^f
-fch'tiie^ liehal^ened ^cdjeke ;by imivom mad
v^ig99/a0n, :bad ^:attcvfl€dBd ito Hbe ^vMd

&28 THE RECESS, SCC.

tered a sigh^ imd faint exclamation.—-
A sweet, yet sad pleasure ?. wandered
through my exhausted frame, : thus to be
jassured that I had reached the very point
of my being. Some women, decently ar-
rayed in black having assisted my infirm
,and venerable comforter to rise, con-
ducted him to the side of my bed, and
retired. With a graciousness peculiar to
himself, he adjured me, since the mercy
of the Almighty had unexpectedly re-
atored my intellects, to profit by th^
indulgence in preparing my soxil to ap-
pear before . him. An . impulse of grati*
tude induced me to reiise my hand to take
Jjis, that sympathetically trembled over
ine; but ^even this trifling motion, made
jne. sensible that I had on many blisters,
ivhichwruqgmy feeble sense even to fainting. -
Tt^e women> as is usual in desperate cases,
gave me some vivifying cordials, and again
retired. The reverend stranger once more
(addressed me, praising the Almighty for
4hft restoration of my intellects-r-'they were
indeed restored, .for oh ! the reyoUectioA

THE RECESS, &C. 329

^ of that dismal event which had rendered
• their loss a blessing returned upon my mind^
and made me loathe the succoQrs I could
owe only to the detested hand that had
consummated my woes ! '^ Oh, you/' cjied
I, in a broken voice, . *^ who thus seek to
comfort the miserable^ inform rne first t,o
whom 1 ^we the benefit." He {caused. »
moment— his gracious eyes glanced .upward,
and having thus consulted with bis Creator^
he answered me with firmness; ^' that he
, was called De Vere ; the bons^old Chap-
lain of the Earl of Somerset." — At that
, abhorred title I shut my eyes as thottoh J
could have shut out retrospection> and
. .waved to him to leave me.—'' Rash, unfor-
. tunate woman/' returned he, in a solemn aiid
; yet tender tone, " religion does nat pieroidt
, me. to obey you— would you bear into a
, better world the pride, the passions, the
^ prejudices, which have certainly embittec^d,
perhaps shortened, your days in this?-.-
Dare you present to the pure source o^
good, your great, your glorious Creator,^ «a
soul yet sullied with voluntary frailties and

^•h\l«Van»iitfp^rfeetion .^^-i-Are yoiinot bn tKe
I poiftt bf ceajiirig^ to- stlffer, •therefore' *thea
^'^(^ald "- you "Trot tiease 'to' 'resent ? *R'el1gi(5n
ertjoins^yOu^to fdrget the- faiihsof 'otiitts,
-and cGtitempltite b!>ly^ybur 6<tn.-^Att)^i\d
»-t(>»trUth, ^and' I^vnll Itti^Krt'it * to yon^-4^-
^«ol've^ td'be- plitieht,-''a!id' I ^"Aill -pour *baltn
Jiitto :rtie 'd^ep'wfifafiaii oPhimtfkn^cdlttiliKy
,fc^iie»htt©til fyeiir^p^^iWis/^^i^d* T'^yiU*'^-
tTmte '4heUi, ♦ €^ea»^tltttj[^r '^tfie ^ti-ilg^^l^s^'bf
opa^lilig 6alfeFiref*y**dpt^ \VWch^^feMll*-isui'dy
-beJ<r«a»zfed/»^aki^ th^y^dehtte in^ittfriior-
itAl4tyV"-=^*111e^A(llhor ?ot ufiiV^t*sar hieirig
ise«i!ffl«d' to- ^^ak^'lo lAe "throiigh his'^Mi-
1 fftetei*«-iJthe gWlheriAg tttrtiult 'Stbod *Strs-
-|>6ildfed. '^ Vou 'dddre^s ^of dn irfgrhte^"
i Wtiisitfi^cf I 'fefeWy, *^<3 1 ^h&^e itall^d'irt pfeaie *
5ilb#»Qgh 4ifeMMi*'nay <Srod, arid ''fahr^wottld
* I «idie §0 : ^ tho«lgh'*stfrety 'to-, mtfientber the
*"^i^ettth, -V^rho "pfecipittrtts ''Hie 'into eterriHj
t»by a^grifef tdd^piingefitfor letiduYance, -t^flh
ncfeftrity/*br "cKJrrApdsitre, *ef jhtefeds %iy »ftbilfly.
*1 f ydii' have*''filighif td*teteal 1b^t'*nkiy allfcj
Hhisr iiritatidn/'be^trtrty- geijerousrin- tiQfyd-

!'KHE?-llE6ESS,:i&C. '3Sl

Miiig :iM-if ootlienriBe, ^present '««u«hiviriiHg€;3

of a villain, whose offences you* ct^fiBbt
-ekteniiatc ;> nor idouWe the Agbtires even
^you' cannot 'relieve.'* • ^^'It "is/niy'ottly^in-

tention, "^ad«m/' " r^iJied'' fe«.^^'Ali>s, ^ I
■ wottldtnobppiDtbeyour^'wi^ildA^eyen- ta'l«?fel
.*tbem !-uIf it 'is:neo^5s!iry*'to^4idffer ere '^^e
o'oarffeel; bfeliev€*»me/I %atit nbt*«^n fel!%t
Mpow*er*<:)fie5ito{)dAibing^irltl>yott ; y%t mtfst
il reooncae^>ttty^divihe l^ild h««i^ii^bh4mic-
rnei', >'% viildi€^«g ^Hhe »iiftfi0c**i f AvftHe 1 1
ftifibothevthe -utrfOrtuiittld ;^fihodkgb> ^v^U'tlie
^sw<ta)tb oPiimtions. ol^lrid^Ill>t te»i|)tiUhe ftr
•^one mdmefttUo ^pttllkte guilt, ^Havetydii
•^ootttrnge to-4ieiir! ati^er>igit«n m^brtlty
thoid, Srt>bt$p6siof-ih^>pi^e!it oppcfrtEHit^ ?
•I^qoittmilidd itiy^lf,r\«rnd?4ig^dt>to himt4o

read. ^

"infiml^t wt«€s,vitnosl'ihj»red|Hnostiin-
Irftfrtiomite-ofiw^iftdn, '*6bttU^th4»\(kffct<jh-*f«F|fo
Hh«s"-tin<*)W9«4©«slytid€strdyid yotir •^peoee
c^d ;his.»<>#n, 'dGpre€»dt€f>*he wrtilh-4iis^v&#y
•^d^a ^txiutet* oc««i0rf ?— Ains, ' eveV^hehwAi
*«^ilh gri^fj » hor-for, ^despttir, Cftry-feiH*

332 THE RECESS, &C.

iifg sensation, (gailt alone excepted) hi^
puni^hmebt is as acute as even malice coald
, wish it. ,

^^ To fill up the measure of my afQic-
. tipns, I am informed that the blow which
has robbed my soul of its dearest hope^
. struck at your Ufe-^that even in the wild-
, ness of delirium your curses pursue me'^
, and you are ready to akik into the grave
: with unabated hatred* — If returnlDg lecol-
. lection. shjQuld ever enable you to read^ wr
^ hear> thtese gQHuine dictates of a bpeakuig
' beart^ do it^ tnadam^ I coi^ure you> tlie
late justice of an acquittaL By the spotless
.spirit of the dear lost. angel my fatal love
deprived ypu of, hear, = pity — if possible,
forgive me. Can you for a moment belfere
< that I would have touched a life dear, pre-
cious to me, even a« to yourself? • .
*^ The abandoned woman, to whom hea-
^ veH/ as a punishment for all my sins, qnited
ine, discovered by some unknown metms
those views I thought impenetrable; and,
i foreseeing in their completion her own dK^-
^ gtace and ruin, she took .a deadly mews

THE^ RECESS, &C. 355'

to save herself from both. — Already but
too familiar with poison, and with death
she found, among the maids attending on
my dear lost love> ojie base enough to aid
her in translating an angel too early to the '■
skies. To 8ay> that I hate, detest, and
shun the execrable monster, is surely need J
less — I even resign her to your justice, nor *
do I wish to shelter my«elf from it, if you
still think me guHty, '

^' The last words of an expiring saint"
are not more ardent, more sincere than'
those I now utter.— —Oh ! strive then to
liw, «iadam>- nor let my agonized soul'''
htfve ' the additional misfortune' of shorten* '
in^ your days, and* lingering under your

cm^y-r ' *

Alas> of what importance are these late
c^victions?' When a ball has gdne through
the- heart we^ate :iii^ap^bte of heeding thei '
quarter it :ccga»egfrom.« t li » ^

-I could not, however, refuse credence to
this letter ;'«tiidaccudiig myself of having
hitherto ^peihapsy'wsbted candour towards '
the.aiittbok', liaequitted myeelf to him by
affording him my forgiveness.

Sd4^ THm RECESSyT &C-

Nntwey ever shdritjkipg.fitjB^KJii^olujJion/i

but tb«:«:^U$U6led'«Qul.no tt¥*f5ca^rfecc*vor.^
Ti^e yoa/^abte. divine J nhd,^^ nmntioj^A
stiil \yat(^ecl over 4n€b aM .by/^yth<s jidi^^h
coQsolaJ^^as^ jC9«,t^n4(£4 #*Hb tli^ ap§tiby> ia|^i<
wbighl wasr^io|ki|ig(r;^Bijtt:^vlio<,CQ|iW^ beal..
a heart broken by so mai>y^o^OtW$ |h-ThUtia
it^ uofi ^bjfokie^, al^n^rPQ^lji-^oj^ltlxiiie.—
Dp^tined ..ta.tui^Ay .mj cliw>eyea5fiy«piid.^hk\?
v^^t ^l^J)a,^wiUipwt)fixMii.«g:. pnei,io)|jept.^R j

tqwar4^ befvye^ij Ni^ft^ tia«->r€yBw»ibef tkmkd
iii,y. tr^a^^ ,wft», ,ouly^, re»ftve^y -jiotiirfak^ii
\vbolly from me; and that evei:)i^a$aMi8pa
d^ri^^Ha)^t4a€fe^^^MW.4<hrei«rtfiri^^ jt^u

only 4]iope of nua6r»lydOtttcedkj(iotHQ[ililftHf'
gyie ^.{PttiJji^meilWTl >d^iwlii\0lii4rB8limjU

'^g^/()vern(ttiutJbeiQj[|diV9bfi24)ftA3qifo»dril

uvengedme, ... . ^.I-;-.! vra fii'ii ^^itu'y:"' -

auMf'fe^^twpg.n^y jewels, tb^.jpquHy -of, his ,
nature*; ancl.f iua4^ h*y3|j,.su^l^. ai(?)>i^owled5T '

hi§,.fortua^. . A&yjBOt^ii.^s I 4;howght)jaiyseJf i
eq^tal to the jou^pey^, I ie^qlvedcto:;rQt'n>e tQ ,
ri:aia^(&^>j th|it..I .ni4gbfccaitile^^jtj;';exp«e. ia.*.
pe&cej^ a^d.be^jugli* -hirartor, aaQoajpftpyv^
uijf ,r— Npt;^bie ,wit|ft§j|tJngFaUi«dfi/JiUii?^difet ..
ately to quit his patron, he comforted nie^i
wilii tl>p hojje^ of S0(9nip^r}^i^g-paj^.voluil-

. Hjqyi* 5 ui| wqrihy th^i n^^Q ^bo iwa»> thii, ;
inppfjent h^art o^jm^i.^rfti^i^iatgdi^iE^L^yeilia

p£99£»r Bep^u^il r^fli^ ^hf9)iiaipulsfi&o£ i
d?WftUT?rb^fttt?^ J Jist^fted .:tPtvltei delates /
o^.jvi^tvft ;an<Jx f eljg^fl, .^nd-doigpeditoiliYfi -
oirtiitl^ 4a-j§ Appoift^^d,by, al^ft> AltoigbtuTfc,;
hifon^^^ .^jjl.1[)^l^a%;.iohl>«lij5y#i miR^^

infe¥#lPpQPiWe>i.ii^ibe #aJhfi)Pfi t^teiKiog,
l^»i«fferj9iot#^Bo^flga5i^nt^i d^iiSi^iYm^-
ft^^^ltfAr^rrr (il^«*&sil baWc? could «eitteil;i

356 THE KtCZSS, &c.

I must alike look down upon ?— ^The very
idea had well nigh disarranged my feeble
faculties^ and destroyed the religious com-
posure of my grief. It however convinced
me that no opposition would be made
to my quitting the prison in whick I left,
alas! all worth enclosing . - I launch-

ed therefore once more into the immense
worldj unknown — unendeared^ and willing
to be so.

My fever returned on my landing in
France with the most mortal symptoms.— i
Ahi can 1 fail here to c(»nmemorate the
second angel heaven sent to my assistance? -
The arrival of the Ambassador- ]i!i hissway *'
toward England^ though at first an ineon- '
venience in so narrow an ^sylum as to inn^
eventually prolonged my days. His dear ■
and lovely daughter was' informed of mV '
state— she indulged the sublime impulse 'of ^
humanity^ which led her toward th^ bed *
Yfhere lay a forlorfi wretch who cippented -
leady to draw her last -breitth in i^ttt.^
affiW.tion. She summoned lier dobie^faith^r^s ^
pbysicioD^ Mfhose ekiU reUeftd obe it xmM

* Ambawador; ai4 by a glosmn principlii

«" kBowiQi only to uiperioi natures, began

^ tfk lote tb« wreidi she siiccoure4. A

^ wluQ ao exempWyalmoat leQOBcileci n^q

^ ^ to tbe, world I am >h^ortty tQ quit. -»— «
^ Sv«at .Addftid©> wbea in thi« faint por-

« tl^t you survey your^f, mgb frr ^hos^

? itoeaying powers wbiob eai^nat render iV

laim^ f»trikin^.

Tbatmy 4eeU^ bat beea pfolonge<i till
1^^ naryatWe i$ ca»«lu4ed I do not regret 5
and by compliance I have evinced my
ame of your friendftbip^-fl hkvot now oujy
to die. Yet, alas ! it is with regret I pre*
Sfsat to yo«r youthful , eyes so i«elawb<?ly
9 obart of i»y ^oyagQ thiwgh Uf«. — Suffer .
i| aoi t« damp you? hopes, but ratbej let
it blwt yo6r aense of miafortane : for hav«r
I mi iaid already, tbat eoiisumma^e mU
Mfjf b$a a wcMml U9!e, ia. teaebiug tb"^ r^
]^nef at little evils to be. juaker t0 bis Qq4
aflftdbimaelf^-if^^GlQrioiis though ioscoPttw
lible are i|ll kia ways; and^ short as myr
time now if> he bat suff3re<i m4 p^ mm

TOL* III. ft*

>.

5S8 tftH RlSCESS, &C.

his righteoiTs retribution. — ^^oridemnalion
infamy^ and solitude^ arr henceforth the
portion of Somerset «nd his execrable
Countess. A similar crime, long buried
in oblivion, has beer proved upon them,
without my haying jnce disturbed the sa^
cred ashes of my Mary. . An jact ao atro*
cious has broke tie tie. which bound D^
Vcre to the Ear?, and I every day. expeu;
him. I jstrugglf- to retain my last breatb
till I can give it np in his presence, assured
that his superior soul will prepare my frail
one for a long hereafter, and decently dis-
pose of the mortal frame I soon must leave
behind me.

Dear and lovely friend, you are noMr
in England. — ^Already perhaps your feet
have trod lightly over those spots where
my happiness withered.— Ah ! if- sensi-
bility should lead you more thoughtfully
to retrace. them, check every painfal emo-
tion, by recollecting tbat I shall then be
past the power of suffering*— Yet when
your noble father re-conducts you to the
home you wis born to embelUsfa^ grant a

little to the weakness of mortality^ and
linger once more on the spotwherfe wemetr
the pious De Vere will there attend your

coming.—; ^Accept from his hand the

casket I bequeath^ and suffer him to lead-
you to the nameless grave where he shall
have interred my ashes: drop on it a few
of those holy tears with which virtue conse-
crates misfortune; then raise your eyes^
with those of your venerable conductor^
and in a better world look for

MATIUD^

7H£ ££V£^

W. Kkt, Piinte?, OW Bailey.

J i

.'•>